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Rune stuns Tsitsipas, becomes 1st Danish in French Open last-8

Sports Desk, May 30 (EFE).- Holger Rune on Monday kept his composer in the final stages to upset Stefanos Tsitsipas and become the first Danish man to reach the French Open quarterfinals.

The 19-year-old needed just over three hours to beat the fourth seed 7-5, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 and extend his best Grand Slam run, having not got past the first round in two previous major appearances.

The Greek seemed to be on his way to turn the match around in the fourth set, when Rune was serving for the match at 5-2 as he claimed two consecutive games, a service break included.

An ice-cold Rune, world No. 40, however, did not crumble under pressure when serving for the match for the second time.

“I have an unbelievable feeling right now,” Rune, who is making his maiden French Open appearance, said afterwards.

“I was so nervous at the end but the crowd was amazing for me the whole match, the whole tournament. I am so grateful and so happy to be playing on this court. You guys are amazing.

“I told myself just to keep at it and play my plan in the tough moments. It worked out so well in the end and gave me a huge confidence boost. It is just so great to still be here,” he added.

This boost may prove handy when he takes on eighth-seed Casper Ruud, also a Grand Slam quarterfinal rookie, who defeated Hubert Hurkacz, 6-2, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3. EFE

ta/mp

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