MUNICH, April 23, 2023
Holger Rune has clinched the title of the BMW Open by American Express by showing a remarkable comeback win on the last day of the ATP 250 clay-court event in Munich. In a repeat of last year’s final, the top seed from Denmark saved four match points to battle past Botic van de Zandschulp from the Netherlands 6-4, 1-6, 7-6(3) on Sunday.
Rune, who was struggling with an upper right arm issue in the latter stages, trailed 2-5, 40-15 on van de Zandschulp’s serve in the third set. However, the 19-year-old defending champion forged an inspired turnaround on a packed Center Court of the MTTC Iphitos and recovered from twisting his ankle in the 10th game of the decider to dominate the tie-break. Rune won seven points less than his rival but secured victory in two hours and 52 minutes.
The COMEBACK KID 💪
The moment @holgerrune2003 sealed his Munich title defence in style! #BMWOpenbyAmex pic.twitter.com/59Fb1dtpJa
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) April 23, 2023
“It is the last match and the last push, so you try to find a way. It could help me a little bit to not be as hurt. It was a struggle but I managed to get it done,” said Rune.
Besides earning €85,605 in prize money as well as 250 ATP Ranking points, Rune received another traditional Bavarian Lederhosen and a brand new BMW i4 M50.
“I was feeling really exhausted but I was fighting until the end and I tried everything I could to come back into the match,” Rune said. “I think for the crowd it was the perfect final. We really pushed each other to the limit and I am super happy I defended the title today.”
Van de Zandschulp tried to see the defeat in a positive light: “I beat Taylor Fritz, the number ten in the world, and I had match points against the number seven in the world.” The 29-year-old Dutchman was not yet able to say whether he will return to Munich next year.
Erler/Miedler crowned doubles champions
Earlier in the day, home favourites Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz failed to win their first title together at the BMW Open by American Express. The German Davis Cup doubles team lost to Alexander Erler and Lucas Miedler from Austria 6-3, 6-4 in one hour and nine minutes.
Alexander #Erler & @miedler21 are the #bmwopenbyamex doubles champions 2023!🏆🏆 Big Congrats guys!🙏 pic.twitter.com/eVm9tzWSE2
— BMW Open by American Express (@BMWOpen23) April 23, 2023
While Erler was happy but at a loss for words during the award ceremony, Miedler took over the microphone: “We have a deal,” he said. “Alex wins the final and I do the talking.” And in the direction of the audience, Miedler joked: “We are very satisfied. You weren’t all for us, but the atmosphere was really good.”
The Austrians clinched their fourth team title, their first in Munich.
More than 43,000 spectators throughout the week
Even before the finals, organizers and partners were pleased with the 2023 edition of the BMW Open by American Express. More than 43,000 spectators came to the venue of the MTTC Iphitos this week. The tournament was sold out for a long time from the quarterfinals onwards:
“That was a very strong week,” Christian Okon, Managing Director of the organizing agency MMP told the press on Sunday morning. “So many spectators and sold out on seven out of nine days, that’s a record.”
Okon also thanked the partners: “The special thing about our tournament is that the partnerships are really lived. This is the only way we can always develop the tournament and our innovative formats together.” These include the “Para Trophy by Allianz” and the “Munich Business Trophy”, as well as the “DAIKIN eSports Open”.
