Danish delight for Rune who wrecks Tsitsipas' French Open dreams

Last year's finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas saw his French Open hopes ended in four sets by Danish teenager Holger Rune on Monday.

Fourth seed Tsitsipas was beaten 7-5 3-6 6-3 6-4 as Rune joined fellow 19-year-old Carlos Alcaraz in the quarter-finals at Roland Garros.

Rune, who had not won a match at a major before arriving in Paris, had to save three break points in a nerve-wracking final game before getting over the line when Tsitsipas went fractionally long.

"I have an unbelievable feeling. I was so nervous in the end," said a beaming Rune. "I was very nervous. I told myself to keep at it and play my plan. I mean it is so great to still be here.

"Part of the tactic was to play as aggressive as possible, when he gets shorter balls he attacks them. I really liked playing the drop shots and it worked out pretty good so I am happy."

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Rune will face Norwegian eighth seed Casper Ruud in the last eight.

Ruud reached his maiden Grand Slam quarter-final when he downed Poland's Hubert Hurkacz 6-2 6-3 3-6 6-3.

"It feels great, it was one of my goals this year. I feel more experienced playing best of five sets," said Ruud, the first Norwegian in the last eight at Roland Garros.

"Hubert has improved a lot on clay, he has become a dangerous player on all surfaces; he has a dangerous serve but I did well at returning it today."

Ruud has been one of the most consistent clay-court players in recent years, with seven of his eight titles coming on the dirt.

After third-round appearances in 2019, 2020 and 2021 at Roland Garros, he is now beginning to show his true potential.

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