CNN
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Teenager Holger Rune surprised Novak Djokovic within the closing of the Paris Masters on Sunday, profitable 3-6 6-3 7-5 in opposition to the 21-time grand slam champion.
The 19-year-old Rune, taking part in in his first Masters 1000 closing, misplaced the primary set and got here from a break down within the second to degree the match.
He then needed to maintain his nerve within the decider, breaking for a 6-5 lead earlier than saving six breaks factors to take the most important title of his profession.
The victory makes Rune the youngest champion in Paris since Boris Becker in 1986 and sees him enter the highest 10 of the world rankings for the primary time.
“I wish to begin by saying enormous congrats to Novak additionally,” he stated to Djokovic, who’s 16 years his senior, in his post-match interview.
“You’re one in all my favorite gamers, I’ve been watching you since I used to be a bit of child, practising with you. It’s a pleasure to have the ability to share the court docket with you now.”
Sizzling on the heels of 19-year-old Carlos Alcaraz’s maiden grand slam title on the US Open in September, Rune now seems to be set to hitch the Spaniard as one other of the sport’s rising stars.
Djokovic had stated forward of Sunday’s closing how Rune “jogs my memory of myself,” and within the closing the Dane duly needed to channel the psychological toughness and never-say-die perspective that has characterised a lot of Djokovic’s profession.
The victory capped off an outstanding week for Rune, having defeated 5 top-10 gamers over the course of the event, whereas additionally saving match factors in opposition to Stan Wawrinka within the first spherical.
When he gained an epic, 16-minute sport to finish the victory in opposition to Djokovic, Rune lay on the ground and coated his fingers over his face in disbelief.
“When you informed me 4 weeks in the past, I might be within the prime 10 … I might be like: ‘What, sorry?’” he stated. “Now I’m right here and I’m tremendous proud.”
