MUNICH, April 21, 2023
Holger Rune is back in the semi-finals of the BMW Open by American Express. The defending champion defeated 2019 Munich winner Cristian Garin of Chile 6-2, 6-4 in stage of the last eight. On a sunny Friday and in front of packed stands at the MTTC Iphitos, the top seed from Denmark capitalized on four of his six break-point opportunities to advance in one hour and 33 minutes.
SF No.4 for @holgerrune2003 🤩
The number 1 seed defeats Garin 6-2 6-4 in Munich!#BMWOpenbyAmex pic.twitter.com/ZFUUN7IhUl
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) April 21, 2023
“Today was tricky, especially in the second set,” Rune said. “There were some nerves as you might have seen, but it was good. I am very happy with the win. I have played a lot of matches, so the body is maybe not ideal. But I love this place and I love to play on this court in front of a nice crowd.”
The 19-year-old now holds a 7-0 record in Munich and will next take on Christopher O’Connell. The World No. 82 from Australia upset home favourite Alexander Zverev earlier this week and backed that up by overcoming #NextGenATP Italian Flavio Cobolli 7-6(5), 4-6, 6-3 in two hours and 27 minutes to reach his second tour-level semi-final.
Fritz beats Thiem
In other action, Taylor Fritz beat Dominic Thiem of Austria 6-3, 6-4. The second-seeded US-American broke serve three times and won 56 per cent of the total points played to prevail after one hour and 32 minutes.
Step into the light 😇@Taylor_Fritz97 rides past Thiem in Munich, 6-3 6-4. #BMWOpenbyAmex pic.twitter.com/MbGqVbtjaA
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) April 21, 2023
“Dominic played well. I needed to show my best tennis today,” Fritz said.
The World No. 10, who is making his debut in Munich, will next meet Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp, who knocked off Marcos Giron from the United States 7-6(5), 6-3 in one hour and 51 minutes.
