Holger Rune has scooted Stefanos Tsitsipas’ expectations of another run in Paris this year in a fourth-round boilover, but already, his defeated opponent has his sights set on revenge.
The 40th-ranked Dane derailed the fourth seed 7-5, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 to join fellow 19-year-old Carlos Alcaraz as one of two teenagers through to the men’s quarter-finals.
Tsitsipas has now lost to both younger opponents this season
Alcaraz backed up last year’s US Open upset of the 23-year-old en route to titles in Miami and Barcelona this season.
“I mean it has to come at some point, it came for everyone, right? I’m not worried. I know my tennis, I know my game,” Tsitsipas said.
“These kids are going to want to beat me badly because obviously they are chasing.
“I’m chasing too, but I’m at a different kind of position than they are. I’m hungry to beat them too. Now that they have beaten me I want payback.”
Rune’s win sets an all-Scandinavian showdown with eighth seed Casper Ruud.