RG2024 R4 Holger Rune[13] v Alexander Zverev[4]

[Rattie]

The Brat takes on the German who is in good form and winner of the Rome Masters. He did however, find himself in a 5 set final TB against Griekspoor in R3 so maybe it’s not a given.

Bookies have Zverev as the favourite but does Holger find some of the talent he can produce to upset the odds or does he predictably fail to deliver?

One previous meeting in Munich on clay in 2022 which Holger won 6-3, 6-2 at a time when Sascha was also playing well.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1796997684219281498

 

[BeatlesFan]

Thanks for making the match thread.

I'm going with Holger in five. He had a few wobbles today mentally but he's hitting his FH a ton and moving like a dream on the clay. I'm usually pessimistic with him in big matches, but he's in there with a real chance. His fitness has improved dramatically and he's defeated Zedrot on clay before.

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

Zverev in 4! I think Rune can make it close though.

 

[InsideOut900]

Most interesting R4 match by far. No result would really surprise me.

 

[UnforcedTerror]

It's up to Zed to save the tournament. Let's ****ing do this!!

Z in 5.

 

[ojo rojo]

Holger in 5

 

[BeatlesFan]

It's up to Zed to save the tournament.

Oh goody, he's dropping out on Monday to attend his domestic strangling/beating/abuse trial!?

Rattie needed to have given us the Rune Wins in a Walkover poll option.

Holger into the QF then for the third straight year!

 

[KantenKlaar]

Holger in 4. BUT, with these two it is difficult to predict. They might as well toss up a coin to see who wins. Still, I hope it clicks for Rune...at least he wins the leg race.

 

[JFK_32]

This match is last call for Holger. If he win he finally will regain confidence

 

[Tennisfan339]

Oh goody, he's dropping out on Monday to attend his domestic strangling/beating/abuse trial!?

Rattie needed to have given us the Rune Wins in a Walkover poll option.

Holger into the QF then for the third straight year!

I think he can beat Zverev and Medvedev. Then loses to Ruud in semis for the third straight year. If he qualifies for the semis, I bet he prefers to play Djokovic instead of Ruud. Wouldn't shock me one bit if it happens this way.

 

[welcome2petrkordaland]

The tactics will be interesting. Zverev’s big first serve will be countered by cool, damp conditions and by Rune’s occasionally outstanding (although often too aggressive giving too many points away) return. Both guys have world class BHs and erratic FHs. Rune moves better and may be fresher at the moment. Still shaking my head at some of Rune returns down 0-5 in fifth set TB vs. Cobolli… I would not bet on this one.

 

[welcome2petrkordaland]

Oops (continued) Zverev’s game plan against Rafa (which obv worked) of crushing the ball with controlled aggression may actually work against him vs. Rune who likes to counterpunch. Zverev will have to mix in dictating with attritional play. Huge opportunity for both here to make semi, as I don’t see Medvedev or DeMinaur winning RG… although these conditions mitigate their clay deficiencies with lower bounce imo.

 

[Dae18]

Ahh the mice vs the rat. Too bad there has to be a winner cause in my book they can both lose.

 

[Arak]

No clear favourite. It will probably go to 5 sets.

 

[kunos]

Voted for Rune in 4.. it's more a hope than a belief.

However he looks good here in Paris.. perhaps slightly slimmer (watching some highlights from last year and Rune looked waaaay thinner than now.. I keep wondering if he went too heavy for tennis), he moves better and seems reasonably calm and focused on the court. The victory against Cobolli must have given him a bit of confidence after a disappointing season.. all the pieces seem to be in place for a great result, fingers crossed.

 

[AlexGS]

The weather should be good today and all week.
We should exceed 21°C (70°F) today, Big Sun, it's 18° at 12 p.m.

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

The weather should be good today and all week.
We should exceed 21°C (70°F) today, Big Sun, it's 18° at 12 p.m.

This is good news

 

[Bill Lobsalot]

Not my favorite players. Can both lose this match?

 

[Rattie]

I expect Zverev to win, but I am rooting for Rune

 

[BeatlesFan]

However he looks good here in Paris.. perhaps slightly slimmer (watching some highlights from last year and Rune looked waaaay thinner than now.. I keep wondering if he went too heavy for tennis.

Hmm, I don't think Holger is heavier than last year, in fact, his legs look slimmer now. This was taken last week. He looks the same to me as in 2023, maybe a bit broader in the chest.

 

[sortof]

A great opportunity for the brat to do something useful by beating the Zedrot. Rune in 4!

 

[ibbi]

Can we get on with this now please? Delayed by an hour already.

 

[BeatlesFan]

Djokovic beats Cerundolo in 4 hours and 40 minutes, now the last match of the day!

 

[BeatlesFan]

Can we get on with this now please? Delayed by an hour already.

It's actually better for Holger. It's currently 67 degrees, the temps will lower every hour and becomes cloudy. Heavier conditions favors the Dane, Zedrot prefers hotter daytime conditions.

 

[ibbi]

It's actually better for Holger. It's currently 67 degrees, the temps will lower every hour and becomes cloudy. Heavier conditions favors the Dane, Zedrot prefers hotter daytime conditions.

He's pretty strong defensively though. Makes him harder to hit through.

 

[Hood_Man]

Zverev the big favourite for this one, so naturally he'll find a way to make it 5 sets.

 

[I Am Finnish]

Z

 

[Pmasterfunk]

Players walking onto the court, @BeatlesFan with a glass of wine in hand probably

 

[TheSlicer]

I want rune to win, zed probably takes It, in 4 i would say

 

[BeatlesFan]

Players walking onto the court, @BeatlesFan with a glass of wine in hand probably

Beer for me, but it's only 12:25 in the afternoon in California, so a bit early to start pounding the booze.

 

[TheSlicer]

Both hitting very clean

 

[ibbi]

Holger Rune is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get. And what a scary proposition that is. If he can find a way through this it will be amazing.

 

[BeatlesFan]

Both hitting very clean

Holger 0/6 on first serves though in his opening service game. He's got to do better.

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

Goldie chainz with strong start on serve!

 

[messiahrobins]

Thanks for making the match thread.

I'm going with Holger in five. He had a few wobbles today mentally but he's hitting his FH a ton and moving like a dream on the clay. I'm usually pessimistic with him in big matches, but he's in there with a real chance. His fitness has improved dramatically and he's defeated Zedrot on clay before.

Winner of this will make the final. I want Zverev to win but i agree with you, Rune in 5.

 

[Pmasterfunk]

Beer for me, but it's only 12:25 in the afternoon in California, so a bit early to start pounding the booze.

Never too early when Zed might win a match

 

[Kralingen]

The Brat normally gets frustrated when playing against guys who make a lot of first serves such as the Zedbot.

Will he keep his head, and legs? Tough call.

 

[messiahrobins]

Very high standard this

 

[BeatlesFan]

Snakeatoglou exhorting Rune to go for the drop shot constantly. He just said, "do it again, then do it again." Not sure why he's saying this since of course Zedrot understands English perfectly.

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

Rune up for the fight here!

 

[messiahrobins]

Snakeatoglou exhorting Rune to go for the drop shot constantly. He just said, "do it again, then do it again." Not sure why he's saying this since of course Zedrot understands English perfectly.

Your boy looks ominously good tbh!

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

Treble BPs Rune. Interesting start here

 

[BeatlesFan]

Holger with 0-40 on Zedrot's serve!!!!

 

[TheSlicer]

Impressive from rune

 

[Rattie]

Apart from the 1st serve percentage, Holger off to a good start. Let’s hope he keeps it up

 

[Kralingen]

Rune you better take this, the time to break Z is early in sets before he’s in serving rhythm.

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

Your boy looks ominously good tbh!

He does. You predicted that you didn’t think Zverev would have it all his own way too. Nice prediction

 

[BeatlesFan]

Rune breaks!!! But he's often broken back immediately.

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

Great tennis from Rune. He breaks!

 

[ibbi]

Love that beautiful moonball in the middle of that point to force him back. Get it, Holger!