Rune Reaches Paris SFs After Alcaraz Retirement

Holger Rune advanced to his maiden ATP Masters 1000 semi-final on Friday at the Rolex Paris Masters after Carlos Alcaraz was forced to retire from the pair’s quarter-final clash.

After charging to the opening set, Rune held firm to force a tie-break as World No. 1 Alcaraz stepped up his level in the second. Having had treatment on an abdominal muscle at 6-5, however, Alcaraz was forced to retire with Rune leading 3/1 in the second-set tie-break at 6-3, 6-6 .

“I thought it was a great match. [It’s] unlucky for him,” said Rune. “I think we both played very well and I was super focused. It was an amazing crowd, amazing tennis, so I’m super pleased with how I handled everything today.”

The #NextGenATP Dane Rune will next take on Felix Auger-Aliassime in his maiden ATP Masters 1000 semi-final. The eighth-seeded Canadian earlier downed Frances Tiafoe 6-1, 6-4.

More to follow…