Rising stars
Holger Rune and
Ben Shelton produced an exhilarating rally in the Abierto Mexicano Acapulco first round on Monday, February 27.
On the first night of the ATP 500 event, the two young guns served up a spectacle to remember. After dropping the opening set in a tiebreak, the 10th-ranked Rune reeled off eight of the final 10 games, including the last four, to book his place in the next round.
The aforementioned rally took place at 2-2 in the third set, with Rune serving at 15-15. With a serve out wide to the left-hander, the Norwegian looked to pin his opponent on his backhand corner. Rune then pulled out a drop shot, which was well anticipated by Shelton.
The American had two opportunities to win the point at the net but had to scamper back to the baseline to retrieve a Rune lob. Shelton responded with a tweener, but Rune was there at the net to end the point with a sweet half-volley winner, which the American couldn't reach.
The two players exchanged a 'high five' at the net before trudging back to play the next point.