As with many other sports, professional tennis has regrettably been marred by the acts of certain gambling-related individuals who threaten and intimidate players. After losing to Casper Ruud in the semifinals of Acapulco, Holger Rune became the most recent casualty.
After the game, Holger’s mother Aneke received a horrifying communication from a gambler that included an anonymous threat to kill Holger! After two hours and twenty-three minutes, Ruud overcame Rune 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, earning a victory over the Dane for the sixth time in seven meetings.
With the Norwegian gaining two points more than his younger opponent, there wasn’t much separating them. They had more winners from the court than unforced errors, and they shot nearly as many service winners.
Rune finished with a 34-33 ratio, while Ruud scored 21 points with 17 errors.
Holger faced nine break points and four breaks as he battled to find the first serve. Despite leading 4-2 in the final, he only managed to take advantage of three of his 10 opportunities on the return to win the title.
In the first game of the match, Holger held at love, and in the second, he converted the fourth break opportunity to establish an early lead. In the third game, the Dane struck an ace to secure the advantage and establish a smooth rhythm.
In the subsequent games, they both made strong serves; in game nine, Rune sealed the set with an ace, holding at love to finish the opening set 6-3 in forty-five minutes.
After Holger Rune’s defeat in Acapulco, a gambler threatened to kill him.
Casper saved three break opportunities at 1-1 in the second set, setting up one of the most crucial moments of the match: a forehand winner to end the contest.
In the fourth game, the Norwegian came in on the return, forcing a mistake from the Dane and earning a break at 15 that put him ahead. In game five, Ruud solidified the lead with a strong serve, and two games later, he made another excellent hold to make the score 5-2.
After winning the ninth game 6-3 and requiring an hour and twenty-five minutes for a decider, Casper hit an ace. They fought valiantly in the third set after the first two went smoothly, fighting for an hour and creating break opportunities in six games.
In the fourth game, Holger scored an interesting point with a winning forehand that put him ahead 3-1.
In the fifth game, the Dane lost serve following a careless forehand, blowing a 30-0 lead that put the Norwegian ahead once more. In the sixth game, Rune broke through once more, up 6-2 and getting closer to the finish line.
Remaining concentrated, Casper won the seventh game with a forehand crosscourt winner, giving the opposition the fourth break in a row and extending the match. In the ninth game, Ruud pushed hard on the return once more, causing Rune to err on his third break opportunity and earning a crucial break that put him ahead 5–4.
