French Open: Holger Rune into fourth round with straight-sets victory over Genaro Alberto Olivieri

Holger Rune stormed into the fourth round of the French Open on Saturday thanks to a 6-4 6-1 6-3 straight-sets victory over Genaro Alberto Olivieri

Rune had the 2023 BMW Open to his name in the build-up to the tournament and impressed at the Rome Masters, where he beat Casper Ruud in the semi-finals.

That gave him three days off, while his Argentine rival had come through qualifying and went to five sets in both his last two matches.

Rune was able to edge his opponent in the first set to go 6-4 ahead and keep him on course for a straightforward tournament so far.

Olivieri showed understandable signs of fatigue and his lack of aggression cost him at times, with his more accomplished rival able to deal with most of the problems that were posed.

The Dane grew into the match in the second set and went 4-1 clear before wrapping it up 6-1, with Olivieri struggling, this being the first time he had ever reached the main draw of a Grand Slam.

Olivieri was able to hold his serve to move 5-3 behind to keep the match alive, but Rune served to love to wrap up a routine victory.

“Super happy with my win today, it was difficult. It was windy, and Olivieri played a good tournament, so I had to be sharp.”

Addressing the crowd on Court Philippe-Chatrier, Rune said: “I love stepping out onto this court, it’s one of my favourites in the world. I played some of my best tennis here. Every chance I get to step out here and perform in front of a beautiful court, I’m going to fight until the end.”

He explained he had played a practice match in order to stay sharp given his relative lack of action.

Rune said: “I played a practice match the day before yesterday to imitate [the match I missed]. I won. It’s nice to keep the rhythm, but it’s different to a proper match. I had to be sharp today, having to play my best. There are things to improve, but I’m happy to be in the fourth round with another great match coming.”

Aged just 20, Rune has earned himself an easy path through to the fourth round, and may be wondering if he needs to be tested further to play his best tennis in Paris.

He will face either Francisco Cerundolo or Taylor Fritz in the next round.

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