Tennis News: Holger Rune Advances to Quarterfinals in Shanghai

Rune's determination pays off against Perricard

Holger Rune secured his spot in the quarterfinals of the ATP Masters 1000 tournament in Shanghai after a thrilling three-set win against Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard.

Rune had two break opportunities and thus two set points when Perricard was behind 3-5...

Holger Rune showcased his determination and skill, fighting past Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in a thrilling three-set match at the Shanghai Masters. The final score was 6-4, 6-7, 6-3 in favor of Rune, who is now headed to the quarterfinals of the ATP Masters 1000 tournament.

Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard initially showed signs of weakness on the backhand side, and Rune quickly took advantage of that. The break later turned out to be decisive, as Perricard, thanks to his strong serve, otherwise did not give much away in his own games.

Several times Perricard delivered servers at over 220 and 230 kilometers per hour, and Rune struggled to get the returns in play. 

Rune had two break opportunities and thus two set points when Perricard was behind 3-5, but the Frenchman managed to fend off both with great serves and reduce the deficit to 4-5.

Rune then took a medical timeout to remove an insect from his eye. Followingly, Rune managed to take advantage of his fourth set point after 40 minutes of play.

World #11 Holger Rune defeats Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard 6-4, 6-7(7), 6-3 to reach the QFs in Shanghai for the first time.

11th Masters 1000 QFs at 22yo.

He will face Griekspoor or Vacherot on Thursday and will return to the top 10 if he wins that one. pic.twitter.com/rw1qp2NAmq

— José Morgado (@josemorgado) October 7, 2025

In the second set, momentum shifted back and forth as both players gave evidence of their incredible repertoire, but in the end Frenchman proved the stronger, securing the set in a tiebreaker 7-6 to force the game into a decisive third set. 

After dropping the second set, Holger Rune showed remarkable mental toughness, quickly bouncing back to take a 3-0 lead in the third set. The early break seemed to give him the momentum he needed, allowing him to settle into his stylish stride and dominate the remainder of the match.

Rune's strong play in the third set never allowed Perricard to get back into the match. Despite the challenging Chinese heat, Rune appeared unfazed, using his precise shots and powerful play to control the pace of the game. The match ultimately lasted two and a half hours, with Rune emerging victorious.

235kmh serve from Mpetshi Perricard.

Holger Rune hits a return winner. pic.twitter.com/nLFvjmjGf5

— José Morgado (@josemorgado) October 7, 2025

Match Highlights:

• First Set: Rune started strong, breaking Perricard's serve early on and maintaining his lead throughout the set. He ultimately won the set 6-4, thanks to his precise serving and effective returns.

• Second Set: The second set was a nail-biter, with Perricard pushing Rune to a tiebreak. Despite Rune's best efforts, Perricard managed to win the tiebreak 9-7, forcing the match into a deciding third set.

• Third Set: Rune regained his composure and dominated the third set, breaking Perricard's serve early on and maintaining a strong lead. He served out the win in the ninth game, securing his spot in the quarterfinals.

Next Match

Rune will face the winner of the match between Tallon Griekspoor and Valentin Vacherot in the quarterfinals. With this win, Rune has now reached 11 Masters 1000 quarterfinals in his career, a testament to his growing prowess in the sport.