Top seed Holger Rune claimed victory in Montpellier after a hard-fought battle against Michael Mmoh, winning 7-6(6), 6-4 in a match that lasted two hours and two minutes. Rune dedicated his win to his sister Alma on her birthday, expressing his desire to give her the best possible birthday gift.

Rune’s triumph in the first-set tie-break at 5/6 was pivotal, as he delivered a powerful serve that his opponent, World No 133 Mmoh, was unable to return. In the second set, Rune continued his dominance, winning 16 of his 18 first-serve points and securing his spot in the semi-finals, marking his second semi-final appearance of the season following his run to the Brisbane final.

The Danish player’s 100th career victory at ATP Tour level came in the second round when he defeated Pablo Llamas Ruiz. Following his quarter-final win, Rune is set to face fourth seed Borna Coric in the next round.

Coric, who defeated Italian Flavio Cobolli 6-3, 6-4, is eager to break a four-match losing streak in semi-final matches and secure a spot in the championship match, potentially marking his first appearance since his title win in Cincinnati in 2022.

At the ATP 250 indoor hard tournament in France, Alexander Bublik, the 2022 Montpellier winner, triumphed over countryman Alexander Shevchenko in a tough match, emerging victorious with a score of 4-6, 6-3, 6-4. Bublik commended his opponent, acknowledging Shevchenko as an upcoming player who has already defeated several top players.

Meanwhile, Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime showcased his strong return game, securing three breaks in the first set. Auger-Aliassime expressed satisfaction with his performance, emphasizing his effective return game and the need to improve his serve for added consistency and patience.