PREVIEW | 2024 Brisbane International ATP FINAL featuring Holger RUNE v Grigor DIMITROV

Holger Rune and Grigor Dimitrov will headline the final of the 2024 Brisbane International, marking the first official tournament of the year for both players. The Danish world No. 8 and the Bulgarian No. 14 are the top two seeds in the ATP 250 event that kicks off the year on hard courts. The final is set to take place on Sunday, January 7th, as both players vie for their first title of the season.

In Saturday's semifinals, the 20-year-old Rune secured his spot by defeating Russian Roman Safiullin (No. 39) with a score of 6-4, 7-6(0), showcasing an impressive performance on his serve. The Danish player capitalized on early breaks in each set, allowing him to maintain a lead for virtually the entire match.

On the path to the final, Rune overcame local player Max Purcell (4-6, 6-4, 6-2). Then, in the round of 16, he defeated Aleksandr Schevchenko 6-4, 5-7, 6-2, and in the quarterfinals faced another Australian, beating James Duckworth 6-2, 7-6(6). The semifinal against Safiulin secured his place in the final, marking the third consecutive season in which Rune reaches a final.

"It was a good match," said Rune. "I started very well, broke him in the first game of the match to immediately put that pressure on him, and in the second set, I got the early break again. He broke me back, and it was a bit of a tighter set, but I managed to stay with some good tennis in the tie-break when it mattered," commented the former Paris-Masters champion.

At 32 years old, Grigor Dimitrov later defeated Australian Jordan Thompson (No. 55) with a score of 6-3, 7-5, eliminating Rafael Nadal's conqueror on Friday. The former world No. 3 will compete in the third final of his career in Brisbane, eleven years after reaching the last round for the first time (2013, 2017, 2024).

In addition to overcoming Thompson in the semifinal, Dimitrov also defeated three-time Grand Slam champion Andy Murray 4-6, 7-5, 6-2. He then outplayed Daniel Altmaier 6-1, 6-2, and in the quarterfinals, Rinky Hijikata (6-1, 6-4).

This will be the third occasion that both players face each other, following their encounters in 2023. In the Wimbledon round of 16, Rune secured victory by 3-6, 7-6, 7-6, and 6-3. In the same round in Beijing, Dimitrov emerged triumphant with a score of 6-3 and 7-5.