Holger Rune on Tuesday crashed out of the ATP 1000 tournament in Paris in the first round. The 23-year-old Dane lost 5-7, 4-6 to American Tommy Paul, who served exceptionally well and committed very few errors.
Rune showed flashes of brilliance—especially when he was under the most intense pressure—but also made twice as many unforced errors as his opponent.
Ranked 14th in the world, 29-year-old Paul is the highest-ranked opponent Rune has faced since his return from an 11-month injury layoff.
This was the first time the two had faced each other on the ATP Tour, and the match demonstrated that Paul is currently operating at a higher level than Rune.
For much of the first set, the match was dominated by the server. Both players were very strong in their own service games, with Paul appearing almost untouchable.
Up until the score reached 6-5 (with Paul leading 40-0), Rune had won only three points on the American’s serve. Shortly before that, Paul had earned—and converted—one of the only two break points seen in the set up to that stage, capitalizing on a weak, error-strewn service game from the Dane.
However, with his back against the wall, Rune finally found an opening. A determined and agile Rune fended off three set points and twice had the chance to break back, before Paul—aided by a couple of aces—regained his rhythm to take the opening set.
In the second set, the games became more closely contested, but when Paul secured a break to lead 2-1, the match shifted firmly in the American's favor. As in the first set, Paul served slightly better and made less unforced errors than Rune; consequently, opportunities for the Dane were very scarce to get back in the game.
Paul broke serve again to take a 5-2 lead, leaving Rune looking disheartened—but just when all hope seemed lost, Rune fought back. Casting aside all inhibitions, he saved a match point, converted the first of two break points, and narrowed the gap to 3-5.
He then further reduced the deficit when he made it 4-5 but in the following game, Paul converted his second match point to secure the win. Rune’s next challenge is the ATP 250 tournament in Stockholm next week.