Holger Rune returns in style, wins Bautista Agut to advance in Montreal

Holger Rune dominated early and late to record an opening round victory against lucky loser Roberto Bautista Agut in his first hard-court match since Miami open.

Rune, who made a successful return to competitive tennis after withdrawing from the Olympics with a wrist injury triumph over his opponent with a 6-2, 3-6, 6-2 win on Tuesday in Montreal.

“It was a challenge for sure,” Rune said. “It’s never easy coming back after a little break — not the longest break, but for me, I’m very young and luckily I haven’t been injured much. It was difficult but I think I managed to find the rhythm quickly. I didn’t manage to sustain it in the second set. He played good, was feeling free. It was kind of an extra chance that he got to play a match. Happy that I could get through.”

Rune, who is currently 13-2 in his season’s opening rounds—including a 6-1 record on hard courts—will next take on Pablo Carreno Busta, who defeated Fabian Maroszan at the Montreal ATP Masters 1000 after saving two set chances.

The No. 17 in the world, Rune, is vying for his first championship of the year this week in Montreal. His finest performance in 2024 was coming in second in Brisbane.

In other action, Alejandro Tabilo defeated Frances Tiafoe 6-4, 6-2 to end play on center court. By defeating the No. 27 in the PIF ATP Rankings, Tabilo achieved his first victory against a player ranked in the Top 30 on hard courts (1-6).

The 27-year-old will next face Lorenzo Sonego in Montreal’s second round. Sonego defeated Tallon Griekspoor 7-6(7), 5-7, 6-4 in the first round.