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Holger Rune suffered four match points, needed treatment and raised the issue of how long it took him to grip the racket, but in an unusual way he beat Bottic van de Zandschulp to claim the BMW Open title.
Rooney, fresh from defeating Andrey Rublev in the Monte Carlo Masters final last week, looked set for another runner-up title as he found himself 2-5 down in the deciding set. 6, 7-6 (7-3) to secure his fourth career title.
It got off to a good start for the Dane when he broke in the opening game of the ATP 250 Finals in Munich, but the world number 29 was tied for fourth in the match, Ruane’s second break in seven games. .
At one point Rooney sent Rickett to catch but it took forever to finish and he let the chair umpire know the emotion.
“It doesn’t take 20 minutes to overeat. Please call the supervisor and ask them to send them back here, no matter what. That’s crazy, my record is 37 seconds,” said the 19-year-old.
But not all heroes wear capes as his mother Anneke is on hand to finish the job.
The real star of this first set is Rune’s mother re-recording the case.
Gaschet (probably) has never been so disgusted in his life pic.twitter.com/MOdMWd7eYc
– ATP Sharp 🎾 (@atpsharp) April 23, 2023
But things went from bad to worse for the world number 7 in the second set as van de Zandshulp broke in games four and five and frustration got the better of the teenager.
The Dutchman broke through in the opening game and scored what looked like another game-winner to take the Knights to the break for a 5-2 lead in game seven. Rune needed treatment on his shoulder and rolled his ankle during the third set.
Van de Zandschulp then went out to serve for the game and got match points at 40-15 and 40-30, but Rooney pulled a rabbit out of the hat twice.
After being captured by Denmark, the fourth seed went out to serve again for the match and held game points at 40-15 and 40-30 when Rooney saved the two again—break.
The teenager had a mini-break in game three, then took full advantage of the first game point and broke again to close out the match.
«I was very tired but I was fighting until the end and I tried my best to get back into the game,» Rune said. «I think it was the perfect final for the crowd. We pushed each other to the limit and I’m really happy to defend the title today.»
«It’s the last match and the last push, so try to find a way,» he added. It might help me a little to not hurt so much. It was a struggle but I managed to do it.
