Step 1 of 7 to the Grand Slam: Novak Djokovic against Holger Rune
Novak Djokovic is missing seven wins at the US Open 2021 for the first calendar grand slam in the men's open era of tennis. The first hurdle there: the 18-year-old Dane Holger Vitus Nodskov Rune .
by Jens Huiber
last edit: Aug 31, 2021, 10:57 am
By Jens Huiber from New York City
Novak Djokovic put it in a nutshell in his press conference before the start of the US Open 2021: He will probably still have the chance to win Grand Slam tournaments. But all four in one calendar year? The current US Open could be the last chance for this. If you look at you triumphs in the majors played so far, then Djokovic was basically never in real danger of actually losing a match. Yes, Alexander Zverev did an excellent job in the quarter-finals in Melbourne. And yet lost in four sentences. And yes, Stefanos Tsitsipas was even able to win the first two sets against Djokovic in the final in Roland Garros. From the middle of the third round it was clear: Nole couldn’t take this title away either.
Should Holger Vitus Nodskov Rune actually become a stumbling block for number one in the world, it would be one of the greatest sensations in the history of professional tennis. Boris Becker's loss to Peter Doohan at the Wimbledon tournament in 1987 comes to mind spontaneously, a victory Runes would be this surprise squared.
Djokovic too strong in all respects
The 18-year-old Dane quickly won an ATP Challenger tournament in Verona a little more than a week ago, then fought his way through the qualification. Günter Bresnik, long-time coach on the ATP tour, thinks a lot of the young Scandinavian, who brings an enormous will to win on the tennis court. On the other hand, this will occasionally turns into impatience. Seen in this way in the qualifying final against Mats Moraing, in which Rune did not take the interruption of the match at the score of 5: 3 in the third set with stoic calm.
Novak Djokovic will not let his young opponent rest on Tuesday evening in New York City either. Djokovic has, in addition to many other qualities, exactly the game that a fiery newcomer does not suit: The industry leader gives nothing to his opponents, Djokovic's outstanding defensive demanded too much from the more experienced Jannik Sinner in Monte Carlo. In addition, Holger Rune is playing his very first match in a Grand Slam tournament. Conclusion: It will be a very relaxed day in the office for Novak Djokovic.
Here is the single tableau at the US Open
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