Holger Rune moved into the final eight of the men’s draw with a 6-4 6-4 win over Stefanos Tsitsipas at the ATP 1000 tournament in Indian Wells.
Rune, the 12th seed, played the role of aggressor throughout his encounter with Tsitsipas to end the Greek’s seven-match winning streak and reach his ninth Masters 1000 quarter-final.
The Dane delivered the shot of the tournament to stave off a break point in the second set when he launched an arcing ‘tweener’ from behind the baseline, sending the ball to the opposite baseline that an outstretched Tsitsipas was unable to retrieve.
“I stayed very committed on my game plan and mentally I was very good. I think that made the difference, how composed I could start. Because Stef is back in shape I think it is fair to say. It was a cool battle,” said Rune.
Rune will next face Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor, who beat Japanese qualifier Yosuke Watanuki 7-6(4) 6-1 earlier to reach his first Masters 1000 quarter-final.
