Holger Rune became the first Danish man to reach the French Open quarter-finals on Monday when he shocked World No. 4 and 2021 runner-up Stefanos Tsitsipas.
19-year-old Holger Rune became the first man from Denmark to reach the French Open quarter-final on Monday after shocking World No.4 and last year's runner-up Stefanos Tsitsipas. The teenager swept to a memorable 7-5, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory on the back of 54 winners and will face Norway's eighth seed Casper Ruud for a place in the semi-finals.
It's your moment, 👏 pic.twitter.com/0etFcp8mbG
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros)The last Danish man to reach the last eight in any Grand Slam was Jan Leschly at the 1967 US Championships. By joining the 19-year-old Carlos Alcaraz in the quarter-finals, it is the first time two teenagers had reached this stage at a major since 1994 when Hendrik Dreekmann and Andrei Medvedev advanced to the quarter-finals in the French capital.
"I was very nervous, and I knew that if I went away from my tactics, I would lose. I told myself just to stick to the plan, and that gave me a confidence boost. It's so great to still be here. My plan was to be aggressive because Stefanos could attack the short balls. I needed to take time off him," Rune said after the clash.
Despite being seeded to make the semi-finals, Tsitsipas had endured a testing tournament at the Roland Garros this year, coming back from two sets to love behind to defeat Lorenzo Musetti in the first round. The Greek then required four sets and four hours to see off Czech qualifier and 134th-ranked Zdenek Kolar in round two.
Tsitsipas fans were heartbroken to see the Greek getting knocked out in the last-16 round, with some tennis fans calling this a major upset. Meanwhile, enthusiasts also lauded the 'great Dane' Rune for this dream run in Paris. Here's a look at some of the reactions:
Major upset! 🚨
Fourth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas is knocked out in the fourth round as 19-year-old Holger Rune becomes the first man from Denmark to reach the quarterfinals. The unseeded player wins 7-5, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.
📹: pic.twitter.com/tHlvMAwo2C
Wow.
19yo Holger Rune gets the biggest win of his career, beats #4 and 2021 runner up Stefanos Tsitsipas 7-5, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 to reach the QFs of in his first ever main draw in Paris.
First Dane man into the last 8 of a Slam since 1967. pic.twitter.com/cYoLEVNv3a
when nadal reached his first roland garros quarterfinal they were:
alcaraz 2 years old
rune 2 years old
sinner 4 years old
ruud 6 years old
tsitsipas 6 years old
rublev 7 years old
hurkacz 8 years old
zverev 8 years old
medvedev 9 years old pic.twitter.com/bdIvkppruZ
🇩🇰 Historic Holger 🇩🇰
19-year-old becomes the first Danish man to reach the quarter-finals in tournament history stunning Tsitsipas 7-5, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 pic.twitter.com/Z9Oo3TkhAn
GREAT DANE 🇩🇰 stuns Tsitsipas to reach to his first-ever Grand Slam quarter-final! pic.twitter.com/qqymepqffx
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV)RUNE DID IT! 💪
Holger Rune upsets runner-up Stefanos Tsitsipas in 4 sets to become 1st Danish male player in last 8! pic.twitter.com/uuSDGmy9U3
The great Dane's doing magnificent things on the red canvas. A gallant effort from Rune! Hands down. Can't wait for the highlights.
— Paddy Khuele. ♌🏳️🌈🎾 (@tlatsipinker)HOLGER RUNE, YOU LITTLE BEAUTY!! 🔥🔥🔥
19 YO DANE stuns one of the contenders, Stefanos Tsitsipas 7-5 3-6 6-3 6-4 to make it to the QFs. said he wanted to be top 25 by end of year, looks like it's coming sooner. Absolute 💣 match. What a talent! https://t.co/GxGV17K4KU
Holger Rune from Denmark is now a set away from an incredible QF in his debut.
7-5, 3-6, 6-3 up on the ATP #4 and 2021 runner up Stefanos Tsitsipas. pic.twitter.com/z4DCV4p6Dy
HOLGER. RUNE. 🙌
What a moment for the 19-year-old! pic.twitter.com/b9fNm8cX3y