ATP 500 Basel F: [3] Felix Auger-Aliassime (CAN) vs Holger Rune (DEN)

[James P]

Two of the hottest players and youngest stars on tour match up for the first time in the final in Basel. Felix is on an 11-match win streak, pretty sure that's the longest of his career, and has won back to back titles in Florence and Antwerp. Holger is on a decent win streak himself, 9 matches, and was the champ last week in Stockholm. Unstoppable force, immovable object, who wins?

 

[dking68]

The Rune boy from DEN to be thrashed in two.

 

[chrischris]

Runes weight of shot from the baseline is quite a sight to behold... To my Mind its like Soderlings in 2011.. Absolute missiles.
Add to that court coverage and positioning prolly best on tour atm.... He comes in exactly when he should too.
FAA has his work cut out for him.
Rune in 3.

 

[BeatlesFan]

Runes weight of shot from the baseline is quite a sight to behold.

Look at this rocket ROS here on this point:

I'm hoping Rune in three. I just can't stand Felix's grunting- even on slices. It's such a hideous noise he makes, I can't root for him.

 

[Krish0608]

FAA takes this. The guy has been bulldozing through great players last couple of weeks. Rune has been amazing too, but I think FAA may have that little extra tomorrow. Let's see.

 

[vive le beau jeu !]

Look at this rocket ROS here on this point:

I'm hoping Rune in three. I just can't stand Felix's grunting- even on slices. It's such a hideous noise he makes, I can't root for him.

i knew rune's lanky (is that the word?) walk reminded me of someone...

he moves extremely well on the court, though... both guys have been playing well lately: should be a good match!

 

[alexio]

supportin felix the cat

 

[bluetrain4]

FAA in an absolute zone. It can't last forever, but I think it will last one more match for his third title in a row.

 

[Winners or Errors]

FAA in an absolute zone. It can't last forever, but I think it will last one more match for his third title in a row.

Hmm, that's the question, isn't it? Is this a "zone" or is he finally maturing into the player we all thought he'd become?

 

[Zodd]

I think it's going to be a close fight - something tells me Rune has an edge creativity/variety wise but if Felix serves well it could very well be the deciding factor.

Going with Rune in 3

 

[bluetrain4]

Hmm, that's the question, isn't it? Is this a "zone" or is he finally maturing into the player we all thought he'd become?

I think it's both. Maturing and coming into his own has allowed him to be in this "zone." Even players who have matured and come into their own don't necessarily go on streaks like this that often.

 

[Lauren_Girl']

Very little chance for Rune IMO.
He couldn't break RBA today. Only won 1 point on his serve in the 2nd set.
Auger-Aliassime hasn't lost his serve since the Antwerp QF against Evans last week!
If Rune struggled so much with RBA's serve, he is never going to have a chance against FAA's serve.
His only chance is to win 7-6 7-6. Very unlikely. He will be broken at some point.

But either way, this is Rune's 3rd final in 3 tournaments. He won 13 or his last 14 matchs, including wins over Norrie, DeMinaur (twice), Tsitsipas and Bautista. Even if he loses the final it's still quite an impressive streak.

 

[stringertom]

Felix the Cat in the Hat Trick. Once he firmly decided he could play to his potential on Dimanche he has been spotless on The Lord’s Day. In February he had his doubts, beating Tsitsipas in Rotterdam before losing to Rublev in Marseille. It has taken nearly 8 months for him to manifest into a force in finals. Now that he’s there if you’re in his way, be afraid; be very afraid.

 

[GhostOfNKDM]

Felix the Cat in the Hat Trick. Once he firmly decided he could play to his potential on Dimanche he has been spotless on The Lord’s Day. In February he had his doubts, beating Tsitsipas in Rotterdam before losing to Rublev in Marseille. It has taken nearly 8 months for him to manifest into a force in finals. Now that he’s there if you’re in his way, be afraid; be very afraid.

You think his new found confidence translates into an AO semi performance (or better)?

 

[stringertom]

You think his new found confidence translates into an AO semi performance (or better)?

Why speculate two months before a draw is made? He made AO’22 QFs and lost to Med in 5, long before this uptick. It’s certainly reasonable to expect a match of that result but so much will depend on the draw.

Paris-Bercy is next week and Turin comes in three weeks. If he wins tomorrow and adds one or both of those titles I would expect he will be a top 4 betting favorite.

 

[bluetrain4]

But Felix is hard to pin down. He was on the upswing in 2021 and then after AO 2022 good performance he generally disappointed. Then out of nowhere had a good 2022 French Open, then back to underwhelming until fall 2022 season when he takes off.

 

[Slicehand]

Felix the cat to cut to pieces rune the brat

 

[Sparlingo]

Felix is getting better but he has always been streaky

 

[Tennfan123]

Felix will toss the trash in the dumpster with glee.

 

[guanzishou]

Good hold by Félix

 

[guanzishou]

Félix broke Rune!

 

[guanzishou]

What a hold by Felix!!!

 

[Dominic & Andrey]

Man FAA looks incredible.

 

[stringertom]

One set away from a Triple Crown or hat trick, whichever you please. Impressive stuff!

 

[Dominic & Andrey]

Rune playing well too but FAA's game is just massive.

 

[guanzishou]

What a clutch first set by Félix. Closed it out with an unreturnable volley.

 

[guanzishou]

Félix is still not broken in Basel this year!

 

[dxc]

Rune has been closer to break in the second set. But both are serving very well. Rune maybe takes a few too many risk with his groundstrokes...
But Rune was holding up very well against Felix. Not being dominated or torn to pieces as many thought he would.

 

[stringertom]

Rune will make Felix earn this third leg of the crown. Good battle from him.

 

[dxc]

2 bp for Rune now

 

[dxc]

2 aces from Felix!

 

[dxc]

Impressive, 4 first serves in a row to hold from 15-40 down

 

[stringertom]

Rune has been closer to break in the second set. But both are serving very well. Rune maybe takes a few too many risk with his groundstrokes...
But Rune was holding up very well against Felix. Not being dominated or torn to pieces as many thought he would.

Only Rune haters thought this would not require great effort from Felix. The combined winning streak from these guys is at 21 (12 for FAA, 9 Rune).

 

[dxc]

The Rune boy from DEN to be thrashed in two.

Felix the cat to cut to pieces rune the brat

Felix will toss the trash in the dumpster with glee.

 

[Nostradamus]

Two of the hottest players and youngest stars on tour match up for the first time in the final in Basel. Felix is on an 11-match win streak, pretty sure that's the longest of his career, and has won back to back titles in Florence and Antwerp. Holger is on a decent win streak himself, 9 matches, and was the champ last week in Stockholm. Unstoppable force, immovable object, who wins?

between these two, probably see 15 majors titles

 

[dxc]

even if Rune loses in 2, he has been the better player in the second set.

 

[dxc]

Rune with a stupid dropshot and then a fantastic backhand from Felix to earn 2 BP

 

[Dominic & Andrey]

The hell is Rune complaining about?

 

[dxc]

From the replay maybe he was complaining about the advertising behind Felix that was changing pictures during the rally?

 

[BeatlesFan]

Felix breaks, will serve for it.

 

[wy2sl0]

However this goes, thanks to Felix for always representing our country with tact. So glad he wasn't one of these chronic complainers always looking for a reason for failure other than themselves.

 

[Dominic & Andrey]

Rune wtf.

 

[stringertom]

Felix from even a month ago would not have earned that long break. Serves for the title.

 

[dxc]

Yes, the advertising where blinking and changing right after Rune had served at 40-40 and when he was about to hit his backhand. Ref said he did not see it, otherwise he would have called a let. Rune argued how he could not see the huge signs going on and off..

 

[RF-18]

However this goes, thanks to Felix for always representing our country with tact. So glad he wasn't one of these chronic complainers always looking for a reason for failure other than themselves.

Yea this, he deserves credit for being such a great example on court. I've never seen him mad or anything. It's quite a unique trait to have, to be able to keep your emotions in check at all times.

Seems like he is gonna win now.

3rd consecutive title and hasn't dropped a serve this tournament.

Job well done, FFA!

 

[dxc]

Felix won, but a good fight from Rune. Second set could have gone to both of them. Rune slightly unlucky with the blinking signs at a crucial stage, but should not have let it irritate him so much afterwards

 

[Dominic & Andrey]

Felix is playing amazing tennis, he is a class act on court AND is super nice outside the court as well, he is extremely likeable. Excited to see what he does in Bercy !

 

[RF-18]

Felix won, but a good fight from Rune. Second set could have gone to both of them. Rune slightly unlucky with the blinking signs at a crucial stage, but should not have let it irritate him so much afterwards

When did this happen?

 

[FeroBango]

Monumental from Felix to destroy the infamous finals record that he has had.

 

[dxc]

When did this happen?

at 5-5 and 40-40 with Rune serving. Ref said at the changeover he did not see it, otherwise would have called a let. Rune lost the point.