Red hot Holger Rune charges into maiden Indian Wells Masters final

Rune shot to prominence when he beat Novak Djokovic on his way to a first ATP Masters 1000 title win in Paris in 2022, but he has struggled to live up to the hype that enveloped around him after that memorable success.

Rune was viewed as the next big star of the men's game after that win in the French capital, but he has fallen off that pedestal over the last couple of years.

Now the young Dane is roaring back to the top and after beating Daniil Medvedev in a thrilling Indian Wells semi-final 7-5, 6-4, he is now just one win away from a return to the top ten of the ATP Rankings.

"It means everything," said Rune. "The job is not over yet, but it feels amazing. Playing Daniil is one of the toughest challenges for me on Tour.

"I managed to beat him the first time [we played], but we know each other well. I obviously had the right tactics, but it was still so difficult because he puts in great effort and is super solid. So, I'm very proud of myself.

"It's about finding the right tempo, and luckily I've got good leg work, so I can reach many balls. It's a very specific tactical plan that I made with my coach yesterday evening and this morning.

"It's about finding the right pace and which shots to hit, because so many players miss too many shots against Daniil. He makes you go for more, so I'm super proud that I managed to find the right rhythm."

The return of Rune is a welcome boost to the men's game, as he boasts a bright and vibrant character that would be a welcome addition to the business end of the game's biggest tournaments.