Doubts raised about Rune's ability to win best-of-five match against Djokovic
ATP
Patrick McEnroe has caused a stir on social media in the aftermath of Holger Rune's superb three-set win over Novak Djokovic in the final of the Paris Masters.
McEnroe suggested that Rune was able to close out the match because it was best of three sets, but that the young Dane would not have been able to do the same had it been a five-set encounter.
In the final match of the regular ATP season, 19 year-old Holger Rune produced a quite stunning comeback from a set down to dethrone six-time champion Djokovic and claim his maiden Masters 1000 crown. In what was one of the matches of the year, the new World No. 10 saved three consecutive break points at 0-40 at the beginning of the second set, before taking that set and a sensational third to deny Novak his seventh title in Bercy.
However, it was evident that as the match was drawing to a conclusion Rune was fading physically. Patrick McEnroe is suggesting that, had Rune required another set to win, he would have run out of steam and Novak would have run out as a comfortable winner, something that was agreed by tennis coach Brad Gilbert.
It is difficult to argue the point here, as the Serb clearly had plenty left in the tank, having had years of experience playing marathon matches.
However, this does an injustice to the sheer size of the teenager's achievement here. Indeed, given that Rune was most likely aware of the physical disparity between himself and his opponent towards the end of the match, the fact that he managed to hold on to his final service game under the most intense pressure is even greater testament to his mental and technical abilities.
The 19 year-old Dane fended off six break points against arguably the greatest returner to play the game, knowing that if he lost his serve he likely would not have recovered.
In doing so, Rune became the youngest winner in Paris since Boris Becker in 1986.
Phenomenal.
