The youngest man left within the Australian Open has been knocked out regardless of overcoming a well being scare to serve for the match and lead 5-Zero in a fifth-set tiebreak.
Holger Rune appeared nearer than ever to defeat towards fifth seed Andrey Rublev when he wanted medical consideration shortly after the two-hour mark on Monday.
However it took Rublev greater than 90 minutes to lastly put the 19-year-old ninth seed away in a 6-Three 3-6 6-Three 4-6 7-6 (11-9) victory.
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The Russian fought again from shedding the primary 5 factors of the tiebreak to win the match on a fortunate internet twine, placing his arms as much as apologize to Rune earlier than a heat embrace on the internet.
“What a merciless method for it to conclude,” Robbie Koenig mentioned in commentary.
The exhausted and crestfallen Rune acquired an ovation on his departure from Rod Laver Area.
His match was beneath menace a lot earlier as temperatures peaked at 27C in Melbourne – and far more beneath the solar inside Rod Laver Area.
He had simply held serve within the third recreation of the fourth set when he was checked over by a match physio.
Rune didn’t seem like in bother on the court docket however instantly hunched over and pinched his nostril after sitting down on the changeover.
“This isn’t good. Rune feeling in poor health … (maybe) the rationale as to why he is maintaining his factors brief – out of breath,” Koenig mentioned.
“Clearly not feeling nicely by the appears of issues.”
Rune’s blood strain and pulse had been checked whereas he was requested questions by the physician.
“You may’t take any probabilities with these things, are you able to?” Australian doubles nice John Fitzgerald mentioned.
Rune briefly utilized ice to his face and brow earlier than leaping again on the court docket.
In the meantime, Rublev will face nine-time champion Novak Djokovic or Australian younger gun Alex de Minaur for a spot within the closing 4.
The 25-year-old was left barely red-faced in his on-court interview when requested if he had been conscious who was in his part of the draw.
“After all, man. No person desires to face Novak!” he laughed.
“I choose to be within the different a part of the draw – not (with) Novak.”
Reminded by Fitzgerald that Djokovic nonetheless wanted to get by way of an Australian on Monday night time, Rublev threw his arms on his head.
“Oh s***. I forgot, sorry, sorry,” he mentioned.
Rublev has by no means made it additional than the quarter-finals of a grand slam, shedding all six instances he has reached the final eight.
