Holger Rune powers to Montpellier quarterfinals

Field Level Media|published: 02/01/2024, 11:12pm EST

Mar 11, 2023; Indian Wells, CA, USA; Holger Rune (DEN) hits a backhand during his second round match against Mackenzie McDonald (USA) during the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden. credits: Jonathan Hui-USA TODAY Sports

Top-seeded Holger Rune of Denmark rolled into the quarterfinals of the Open Sud de France, defeating Spain's Pablo Llamas Ruiz 7-5, 6-2 on Thursday in Montpellier.

Rune finished with a 6-1 edge in aces and saved one of the two break points he faced. He took advantage of just four of his 13 break opportunities.

Rune, 20, is looking for the fifth title of his ATP Tour career. He lost in the final at Brisbane, Australia, last month.

In other second-round action, third-seeded Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada eked out a 7-5, 2-6, 7-6 (4) win over France's Arthur Cazaux. Fourth-seeded Borna Coric of Croatia blitzed Spain's Pedro Martinez 6-4, 6-0, and sixth-seeded Alexander Shevchenko of Kazakhstan got past France's Gregoire Barrere 7-6 (3), 2-6, 6-3. Italy's Flavio Cobolli beat France's Constant Lestienne 6-4, 6-1.

The quarterfinals will feature an all-Kazakhstani matchup as Shevchenko opposes second-seeded Alexander Bublik.

—Field Level Media