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Holger Rune suffered a heavy loss in the second round of the Australian Open. Holger fell to world no. 122 Arthur Cazaux 7-6, 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 in three hours and 22 minutes, feeling the pain in his knee and hitting the exit door.
Holger's coach Boris Becker did not guide his pupil from the stands, opting to work as an analyst job during the season's first Major. Becker praised Cazaux and his performance, saying he overpowered Rune and earned the victory.
Also, Boris advised Holger to improve his forehand and deal with the top spin more efficiently to become a Major contender. The 21-year-old Frenchman came to Melbourne with one ATP win, showing his full potential and moving into the third round.
Arthur fired 18 aces and lost serve once, keeping the pressure on the other side. Holger got broken three times, spraying too many errors and losing the crucial points to experience an early loss.
Boris Becker shared his thoughts about Holger Rune's early Melbourne loss.
World no.
122 fired 51 winners and 30 unforced errors, playing valiant tennis and not stepping back. They served well in the first set and introduced a tie break. Cazaux fired a smash winner at 5-3 for three set points and clinched it 7-4 after 53 minutes.
Arthur broke once in the second set and served well to build a massive advantage. The Frenchman broke at 15 in the first game and earned more chances at 2-0. Rune saved them and missed a break point in game four that could have brought him back to 2-2.
Cazaux served for the set at 5-4 and held at 30 to forge an enormous two sets to love advantage.
Holger took a medical timeout after the third set's third game.
However, he served well and secured his lone break at 5-4 with a forehand winner, clinching the set and prolonging the battle. Cazaux made a fresh start in the fourth set and broke in the first game with a stunning forehand crosscourt winner from a tricky position.
Rune made one last push at 3-4, creating a break chance with a powerful backhand. The Frenchman saved it and fired an ace for a 5-3 lead. Arthur pushed strong on the return in game nine, landing a backhand crosscourt winner to secure a break and a place in the next round.
"You have to give credit to Cazaux, a very talented young player with a great game. It was more Arthur winning than Holger losing. Holger will have to improve his forehand and handle a top spin more efficiently," Boris Becker said.