French Open 2022, 2nd round, Thursday, 26.05.2022
A new high flyer in the tennis sky! While the whole world is looking at Carlos Alcaraz, Holger Rune has played his way into the extended top ranks away from the big spectacle. Now he could really cause a stir with a successful performance at the French Open 2022.
He was already immensely strong in the 1st round, his current opponent should now actually be a whole lot easier. Read my Rune Laaksonen tip to find out why I can’t imagine that the favourite will have any serious problems.
At the US Open 2021, Holger Rune appeared on the big stage for the first time, survived the qualifying and even took a set off Novak Djokovic in the 1st round. Now, a few months later, he is suddenly on the bright side.
A few weeks ago, the Dane turned 19 and has already cracked the world’s top 40. He hinted at his enormous potential time and again before his star finally rose at the BMW Open in Munich.
Alexander Zverev was outclassed in two sets, and in the final Rune benefited a little from Botic Van de Zandschulp’s withdrawal due to injury. He took a little time out in Rome, only to come back stronger in Lyon.
Only Cameron Norrie was able to stop him in three sets in the semi-finals, suddenly Rune is already among the top players. In the 1st round of the French Open, many had expected a close duel against Denis Shapovalov.
But what Rune delivered deserves the highest praise. The youngster prevailed 6-3, 6-1, 7-6, the surprisingly clear result impressed everyone. In his very first appearance in the French capital, he should go as far as possible.
With an average of 1.12 to 6.85, Rune has to cope with being the favourite all of a sudden. His current opponent, Henri Laaksonen, should be much easier to play than Denis Shapovalov.
The Swiss is in a slump of form and is ranked 96th, just barely in the top 100. Eight first-round exits in the last nine competitions, most of them defeats in the qualifying round.
Two German, not necessarily well-known qualifiers outplayed Laaksonen last time. So it was all the more surprising that he had hardly any problems in the 1st round at Roland Garros and won 2-6, 6-4, 6-4, 7-6 against Pedro Martinez.
He had travelled to the tournament after several defeats and without any self-confidence. You first have to recover from a 0:1 deficit and come back stronger. Last year, the Swiss achieved his best result to date in Paris.
He defeated Yannick Hanfmann and surprisingly also Roberto Bautista Agut, but had to retire injured in the 3rd round against Kei Nishikori. Will he now manage to win two matches in the main draw for the first time since November 2020?
My Rune Laaksonen Tip
Holger Rune is reaffirming in almost every match these weeks that he wants to move up to the absolute top of the world very soon. Whoever beats Denis Shapovalov easily in three sets should have no problems against Henri Laaksonen?
Therefore, in conclusion, I can only guess:
Rune wins outright against Laaksonen!
