Holger Rune defeated Daniel Evans in the first round in Paris
After back-to-back quarter-finals at Roland Garros, world no. 13 Holger Rune is ready for another strong run in Paris. Holger kicked off the action with a solid 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 triumph over Daniel Evans in two hours and 35 minutes on Court Suzanne-Lenglen, booking a place in the second round.
Rune is confident about his level, saying he plays and feels better than a year ago. The young Dane fired eight aces and overpowered the Briton behind the first and second serve. Holger clinched 40% of the return points and converted them into four breaks from 11 opportunities.
Evans clinched one break from four chances, giving his best but falling in straight sets. Rune landed 44 winners and 35 unforced errors, while his rival added 21 winners and mistakes.
Holger beat Daniel in the shortest and mid-range exchanges, while the more experienced player followed the young gun’s pace in the most advanced ones.
Evans closed the opening game of the match with a service winner, and Rune responded with a hold at love in the next one after a forehand down the line winner. Daniel experienced issues in the third game, facing two break points and numerous deuces.
Holger earned a break point with a forehand winner, and Daniel saved it with a service winner. The Dane squandered the second break point after a forehand error and landed an unreturned serve after the seventh deuce for a hold and 2-1.
They served well in the next five games, with Rune painting a drop shot winner for a hold at 15 and 4-4.
Holger Rune beat Daniel Evans in the opening round in Paris.
The Dane earned a break point in the ninth game after forcing a volley error from the Briton and converted it to open a 5-4 advantage.
Holger earned a set point in game ten with a smash winner and landed a service winner for 6-4 after 48 minutes. Daniel erased four break points in the first game of the second set, avoiding an early setback and earning a break chance in the next one.
Holger saved it with a fine serve & volley combo and held for 1-1. The young gun attacked on the return in game five. He grabbed a break when Evans placed a lob long, moving 3-2 in front and holding in the next one with a forehand winner to extend the gap.
Rune grabbed the eighth game after deuces, opening a 5-3 lead and forcing Evans to serve to stay in the set.
The Dane served for the set at 5-4 and faced a break point after the Briton’s forehand winner.
World no. 13 denied it with a powerful serve down the T line and wrapped up the set with a smash winner, moving 6-4, 6-4 in front after an hour and 45 minutes. Evans served well early in the third set and clinched his only break at 3-2 after Rune’s wayward forehand.
Rune stayed focused and broke back in the next one after a volley winner at the net, reducing the deficit and gaining a boost. The Dane held after a deuce in game eight and earned a break point in the next one following the Briton’s double fault.