{"id":295345,"date":"2023-11-03T22:09:12","date_gmt":"2023-11-03T22:09:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportslifetale.com\/?p=295345"},"modified":"2023-11-03T22:09:12","modified_gmt":"2023-11-03T22:09:12","slug":"novak-djokovic-gets-holger-rune-revenge-in-dramatic-match-as-serb-booed-again","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportslifetale.com\/tennis\/novak-djokovic-gets-holger-rune-revenge-in-dramatic-match-as-serb-booed-again\/","title":{"rendered":"Novak Djokovic gets Holger Rune revenge in dramatic match as Serb booed again"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Novak Djokovic got revenge over Holger Rune at the Rolex Paris Masters after losing to the youngster in last year\u2019s final. Meeting on the same court in the quarter-final stage this time around, the pair contested a thrilling match that saw the world No 1 booed when he argued a call with the umpire. Djokovic was still able to come through 7-5 6-7(3) 6-4, ending the 20-year-old\u2019s unbeaten streak at the tournament.<\/p>\n

Rune stepped onto the court with a winning 2-1 record against Djokovic, also beating him in the Rome Masters quarter-final earlier this year on top of his triumph in the Paris final 12 months ago. The sixth seed had also never lost a match in Bercy, going 8-0 so far, and was yet to have his serve broken at the tournament this year.<\/p>\n

That record looked as though it would remain intact in the first set as nothing could separate the two. Neither man was able to set up any break point chances as they neared the business end of the opener until Rune stepped up to serve to stay in it at 5-6. Djokovic brought the heat as he pounced at a crucial moment, setting up the first break point of the match – also a set point.<\/p>\n

And he only needed the one, finishing off the job at the net to take the opening set in just under an hour. The 36-year-old waved his arms in the air as he soaked in the atmosphere inside the Accor Arena. But it didn\u2019t take long for Rune to get his first break point opportunities either as he responded at the start of the second, breaking Djokovic to love and taking a 2-1 lead.<\/p>\n

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The top seed proved relentless, however, breaking straight back. Clearly fired up, the 24-time Grand Slam champion sensed an opportunity with Rune serving to stay in the match. But the match turned when Rune was 15-30 down. He challenged one of Djokovic’s shots after hitting the return and the top seed marched straight to the umpire’s chair, arguing that the sixth seed challenged too late.<\/p>\n

Renaud Lichtenstein said Rune challenged after hitting the ball but before his own shot landed out, meaning he allowed it. But Djokovic said it was “bull****” and called for the supervisor – a request that was not granted. It meant that, for the second night in a row, Djokovic was booed by the crowd as they responded to his decision to approach the chair official. The umpire claimed that Rune challenged before his own return landed out, meaning he did it in time, and instead of two match points to Djokovic it was 30-30.<\/p>\n

But in trademark Djokovic fashion, the adversity only spurred him on and he set up a match point. He wasn\u2019t in the clear though as Rune saved it to level at 5-5 with the fans on their feet. The rollercoaster second set went to a tiebreak where Rune pounced, taking a double mini-break lead just minutes after staring down the barrel of defeat.<\/p>\n