MUNICH, April 18, 2024
A few years ago, the organizers of the BMW Open developed the slogan “Toughest Clay-Court Tournament in the World” as capricious weather in Munich — typical for the month of April — constantly pose great challenges for the players.
Thursday was no exception as two-time defending champion Holger Rune started his charge for a three-peat in sunny conditions. However, after only two points, the second-round match against Daniel Elahi Galan of Colombia was interrupted by rain and hail. When the sun returned and the encounter resumed, the No. 2 seed from Denmark was the dominant player right from the beginning, showcasing superior skill and control over his opponent.
10/10 for Rune in Munich🔥@holgerrune2003 defeats Galan 6-4 6-2 to win his tenth match in a row in Munich ✅@BMWOpen24 #BMWOpen pic.twitter.com/WuBFLIoIxC
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) April 18, 2024
Rune saved the only break point he faced and capitalized on three of his own four break-point opportunities to secure a 6-4, 6-2 victory in one hour and 39 minutes.
“Today it was super cold, I think we all felt it. But I’m from Denmark so I’m used to it,” said Rune after competing in about 5 degrees Celsius. “It was great to finish in two sets for sure.”
Rune hopes to follow in Kohlschreiber’s footsteps
Rune could become the first player to lift the Munich trophy three times in a row in the Open Era and just the second player after Philipp Kohlschreiber to claim three titles here. The German was successful on home soil in 2007, 2012 and 2016.
“It’s great to be back. Obviously I have great memories of the tournament. I have always played good matches, stayed strong in the important moments like I did today,” said Rune, who is now 10-0 at the MTTC Iphitos and bidding for his third BMW sports car as a special prize.
“Before I wasn’t thinking much about cars but after winning two of these great cars I was getting more inspired about it,” the World No. 12 said. “It’s really cool and for an ATP 250 this is an amazing prize. It makes this tournament even more special.”
Up next, Rune will play Swiss qualifier Marc-Andrea Huesler, who was a 6-2, 6-4 winner over Yannick Hanfmann of Germany in one hour and 31 minutes.
Fritz off to winning start
Earlier, Taylor Fritz advanced to the quarterfinals of the BMW Open for the second consecutive year. The No. 2 seed from the United States ended the ATP Tour main draw debut of Spanish qualifier Alejandro Moro Canas by winning 6-3, 6-1. Fritz demonstrated a strong and reliable serve, struck nine aces and won 88 per cent of his first-service points to prevail in 73 minutes.
Up and running 💪@Taylor_Fritz97 gets his clay season going with a 6-3 6-1 win over Moro Canas ✅@BMWOpen24 #BMWOpen pic.twitter.com/Y3Q8vbhyJZ
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) April 18, 2024
“Last year I was playing good tennis here and I wanted to come back again,” said the 15th-ranked Fritz. “Today was a good start into the tournament, which gives me confidence. I will take one match at a time but I played well today.”
Fritz will next take on No. 6 seed Jack Draper, gunning for revenge after losing to the Briton on grass at The Queen’s Club in London two years ago.
Garin, Struff advance
In other second-round action, 2019 BMW Open champion Cristian Garin of Chile rallied past US-American Alex Michelsen 6-7(7), 6-2, 6-1 in two hours and 26 minutes. The 27-year-old will face top seed and home favourite Alexander Zverev in the quarterfinals.
Fourth-seeded German Jan-Lennard Struff, who ousted two-time Munich finalist Botic van de Zandschulp from the Netherlands 7-6(0), 6-4, and fifth favourite Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada (6-3, 6-2 against Taro Daniel from Japan) round out the stage of the last eight.
