China Open: Holger Rune Charges into next round as Jarry Stuns Tsitsipas 

Holger Rune snapped a four-match losing streak in style Friday in the Chinese capital by surging to a 6-4, 6-4 triumph against Felix Auger-Aliassime at the China Open.

“It felt good. I’ve had a tough period, both with my body and match circumstances, so I’m just happy to be back feeling good,” said Rune. “Feeling mentally well on and off the court. I’m just super happy with my level today.”

“I was feeling very good. I didn’t feel anything in my body,” said Rune. “This is good. I don’t mind muscle soreness, but I’m too young to have these kinds of problems, so it’s good to feel good out there. I’m feeling healthy, taking care of my body and I’m super happy to play without pain and just enjoy myself.”

The next week in Beijing could be crucial for Rune as he seeks to reach the Nitto ATP Finals for the first time. The Dane, who was an alternate at the season-ending finals last year but did not play, sits just inside the qualification spots in eighth in the Pepperstone ATP Live Race To Turin on 3,100 points, but he is only 90 points clear of Taylor Fritz.

Rune can extend that gap and book his ninth tour-level quarter-final appearance of the year when he meets Grigor Dimitrov next in Beijing. The Bulgarian earlier sealed his second-round spot at the ATP 500 with a 2-6, 7-6(4), 6-1 triumph against Mackenzie McDonald.

In other action, Stefanos Tsitsipas continued to struggle with his tennis, suffering a shocking upset against Nicolas Jarry.

The 27-year-old Jarry is now 32-15 for the season, which includes titles won on clay in Santiago and Geneva. He and World No. 5 Tsitsipas’ have now split four Lexus ATP Head2Head clashes in 2023, with the Greek winning in Monte-Carlo and Los Cabos and Jarry prevailing in Halle and Beijing. The Chilean’s reward for his victory on Friday in Beijing is a second-round clash with Italian Matteo Arnaldi.

Eighth seed Alexander Zverev remains a potential quarter-final opponent for Jarry and Arnaldi after the German defeated Diego Schwartzman 6-7(2), 6-1, 6-4. Zverev, who claimed his 21st ATP Tour title in Chengdu on Tuesday, converted five of 10 break points he earned against Schwartzman to advance to face Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.