Once considered a potential World No.1, Holger Rune has battled injury and form issues these past few years.
2025 ATP Tour
Masters 1000
Indian Wells Open
Indian Wells Tennis Garden, California (Outdoor Hardcourt)
Selected Quarterfinals- 13th March
Holger Rune (12) 0.56 vs Tallon Griekspoor 1.38
His coaching situation has also been a game of musical chairs, with some claiming the Dane isn’t the easiest to work with. He stabilized towards the end of last season, reaching the semifinals in Paris, Tokyo and Basel. He reached the 4th round of this year’s Aussie Open, pushing eventual champ Jannik Sinner to four sets. But he struggled in the aftermath of the Aussie Open, facing a few early exits and withdrawing from Rio and Acapulco due to various illnesses. But he has looked back to his best at Indian Wells, reaching a 2nd successive quarterfinal here with wins over Moutet, Humbert and Tsitsipas. He was especially impressive against Dubai champ Tsitsipas, ending the Greek’s seven-match winning streak 6-4,6-4. Rune exposed Tsitsipas on return, winning 41% of his first-serve return points. He also produced a candidate for shot of the season, hitting a tweener-lob to send the Indian Wells crowds into raptures.
Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor has been a breath of fresh air this fortnight, advancing to a maiden Masters 1000 quarterfinal with his exciting brand of front-foot tennis. Griekspoor has always been a talent but has lacked the consistency to trouble the upper-echelon players. But Griekspoor really impressed in Dubai, taking out top seed Daniil Medvedev en route to a semifinal berth. He just transferred that form into Indian Wells, taking out Kecmanoivc in his opener before a herculean comeback win over top seed Alex Zverev (marking the 2nd successive time that he eliminated the top seed in a tournament). He followed up that win with a comfy straight-sets victory over servebot Mpethsi Perricard. He then had a little relief in his round of 16 clash, ending Japanese qualifier Watanuki’s dream run 7-6, 6-1. He was impressive against Watanuki, hitting 14 winners to 11 unforced errors and winning 81% of his first-serve points. He has served tremendously this fortnight, accumulating 35 aces in just four matches. Griekspoor is an all-action player, looking to dictate with his serve and forehand while remaining tenacious in defensive positions.
The Verdict: Griekspoor to win in three at 4.2- Griekspoor leads the head-to-head 2-0, winning their most recent meeting in three sets at last year’s Madrid Open. In fact, Griekspoor has won both their previous meetings on clay (quite surprising when you consider Rune’s clay-court credentials). This will be a tight match, with both players playing their best tennis this week. I just think that Griekspoor’s added aggression could give him the edge. He is rally-resistant and could force Rune into committing errors in protracted rallies.
