Holger Rune brought his A-game to the ATP 500 tournament at Ahoy Rotterdam, defeating Italian tennis star Lorenzo Sonego with a score of 7-6(4), 6-4 on February 13, 2025. This hard-fought match showcased the resilience and skill of both players, but it was Rune's ability to capitalize on key moments and his overall solid performance, especially during the decisive points, which earned him the win.
The match unfolded over two hours and eleven minutes, with both players demonstrating exceptional tennis. The first set was tightly contested. Rune quickly grabbed the advantage, breaking Sonego's serve early on. Nonetheless, Sonego demonstrated his fighting spirit, breaking back to level the set, showcasing his powerful forehand and tactical prowess at the baseline.
With both players holding serve through the remainder of the set, the contest moved to a tense tie-break. Rune, ranked 14th globally, managed to maintain his composure, winning the tie-break 7-4. According to OA Sport, "Rune has played well on important points but has largely deserved the victory, even though the match could have swung at any moment." Sonego, who ranked 34th, was commendable too, particularly for saving 11 of the 13 break points he faced.
The second set saw Sonego begin on the back foot, challenged right away when Rune pushed hard with relentless returns. Despite early struggles, Sonego’s determination shone through when he saved three break points early on to keep the match competitive. Rune’s aggressive style, with his solid serve and crisp groundstrokes, proved to be too much by the set's conclusion.
After breaking Sonego’s serve at 5-4, Rune sealed the match with another effective service game, where he was able to hit four winners, showcasing his growth and mental toughness, especially under pressure. Reporting on the match, Sky Sport noted, "After two hours and eleven minutes, Rune sealed the match with a great passing shot." This victory improved Rune’s head-to-head record against Sonego to 3-0.
Looking forward, Rune is set to face Spanish player Pedro Martinez Portero, who advanced after defeating Roberto Bautista Agut 6-3, 6-2. Rune's victory marks his 44th indoor win since 2022, positioning him as one of the leading indoor performers on the ATP Tour, as noted by ATP sources.
Sonego’s elimination from the tournament leaves him with the task of regrouping as he seeks to secure enough points to possibly break back within the top 32 ATP rankings, which would afford him greater seeding opportunities at future tournaments. This loss, albeit disappointing, keeps the focus on his impressive run at the Australian Open earlier this year, where he reached the quarter-finals for the first time.
Despite the setback, Sonego can take heart from his performance against Rune, as he now looks to seek victories at upcoming events, reflecting his desire to return to winning form. His strategic playing style has shown glimmers of brilliance, making fans hopeful for his future matches.