Rune survives tricky test in Brisbane, reaches QFs

Two matches played in 2024, two three-set wins for Holger Rune.

The top-seeded Dane overcame a test from Alexander Shevchenko on Wednesday at the Brisbane International presented by Evie, advancing to the quarter-finals 6-4, 5-7, 6-3.

Rune won 75 per cent (47/63) of his first-serve points, hitting with explosive power off both wins to triumph after two hours and 28 minutes. The 20-year-old, No. 9 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings, defeated Max Purcell in three sets in his opening match at the ATP 250 event.

He will continue the quest for his fifth tour-level title against James Duckworth.

Australian qualifier Duckworth continued his impressive run at the ATP 250, moving past Yannick Hanfmann 4-6, 6-1, 7-6(2) to reach his first tour-level quarter-final since San Diego in 2022.

The 31-year-old saved two match points at 4-5 in the third set, eventually prevailing in Brisbane after two hours and 27 minutes.

Roman Safiullin also saved match points to end the hopes of home favourite Alexei Popyrin, advancing 6-7(9), 6-4, 7-6(3) in two hours and 56 minutes. Safiullin rallied from 1-4 in the third set, saving five match points to advance to his fifth tour-level quarter-final and fourth on hard courts. He now leads Popyrin 2-1 in the pair’s Lexus ATP Head2Head series.

The No. 39 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings will next meet Matteo Arnaldi after the Italian defeated Lukas Klein 6-4, 3-6, 7-5.

Fourth-seeded Frenchman Ugo Humbert defeated American qualifier Alex Michelsen 6-4, 6-4. The World No. 20 ended last season as the French No. 1 and looked impressive against Michelsen to earn his first win of the year in one hour and 37 minutes. He could play Rafael Nadal in the last eight. The Spaniard meets Jason Kubler on Thursday.