Miomir Kecmanovic bagged his first win over a player ranked in the top 10 since Miami last season with a stunning performance against Holger Rune at the 2023 Stockholm Open.
The Serbian tennis player overthrew the first seed and defending champion, Rune, 7-6, 6-2 in the second round of the Stockholm Open.
“I think I played pretty well after a long season,” said Kecmanovic, who was 0-5 against top ten players before picking up a win over Rune.
“I feel so happy. It means a lot to finally be able to play like this. It really feels special to be able to beat the world number 6 tennis player. I was so close to beating another top player in the world this season, but I feel happy that I finally did it.”
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The Serbian tennis player snapped an 11-game losing streak against players ranked in the top 10 and is now 4-17 against players in that ranking in his career to date. Before defeating Rune, the Serbian’s last victory over a player ranked in the top 10 occurred in March 2000 in Miami against Felix Auger Aliassime.
For the Danish tennis player, Rune, who also lost in the first round of the Shanghai Open last week, this defeat was a big blow in his efforts to book a ticket to the ATP Finals in Turin. He is currently in eighth place in the ATP Race To Turin standings, but his position is in danger after the American, who is also aiming for a place in the ATP Finals, is still holding out in Tokyo this week.
Waiting for Miomir Kecmanovic in the quarter-finals of the Stockholm Open is the host tennis player, Elias Ymer or the Croatian tennis player, Dino Prizmic.
In other action, the French tennis player had to fight extra hard to knock out the Hungarian tennis player, Marton Fucsovics, 2-6, 6-2, 7-5 in the first round.
“I feel very happy. Marton is a very good tennis player, always a skilled opponent. “I just have to believe that I will win it, try to stay positive and play my game,” said Monfils.
In the second round, Monfils will meet Austrian tennis player, Filip Misolic.
Meanwhile, the third seed, Tallon Griekspoor beat Finnish tennis player, Emil Ruusuvuori with 7-6, 6-4 and booked a quarter-final match against Pavel Kotov who beat Italian tennis player, Lorenzo Sonego.
