UTS Grand Final London 2024 Day Two: Rune v Humbert and De Minaur v Monfils set for semi-finals after dramatic day

Saturday, 07 December 2024 at 23:00

It was a drama filled day that went down to the wire at the Ultimate Tennis Showdown (UTS) Grand Final as Holger Rune clinched the last remaining semi-final spot outplaying Jan-Lennard Struff 3-0.

He claimed it 15-10, 15-12, 16-11 and will now face Ugo Humbert tomorrow. Rune was the runner-up last year in London and is set for a semi-final clash with the Frenchman. The winner of the match was guaranteed to go through after a smattering of drama filled results set up a dramatic conclusion.

Struff had the edge for most of the first quarter, he led 10-9 but Rune played his bonus card on the German's serve. Struff double faulted and Rune won the point. Rune took control from there, he opened up a 14-9 lead in the second quarter as the clock ticked down. Struff hit back 14-12 but Rune got through it 15-12.

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Struff hit back from an early deficit in the third quarter to level at 5-5. However a wild serve cost him and Rune opened up an insurmountable lead.

Ironically Thanasi Kokkinakis was the one who sent Humbert through. He ended Rublev's hopes with a 3-2 victory sending the Frenchman into a tie with Rune.

Kokkinakis went into the match knowing that he'd been eliminated. Gael Monfils beat Ugo Humbert in the match prior but he threw caution to the wind and took down Rublev 15-14, 12-11, 9-15, 11-15, 2-1. That result mant Humbert topped Group A with Monfils progressing to the final four.

Monfils getting through in the first place was a stunner. He defeated Thanasi Kokkinakis coming from two quarters down to beat the Aussie and saving two match points in sudden death. He then shrugged off a locked back to reach the semi's. He did so in the first quarter but he still forced it into sudden death which is what he needed to qualify for the final four.

“I don’t know what it is, but whenever we play each other, one of us gets injured,” Monfils joked after the second quarter. “We like to play each other but always one of us doesn’t finish the match.

“Thank you (to the crowd). You pushed me hard, I really wanted to be in the semis and I promise I will be 100 percent tomorrow.”

Alex de Minaur was already through earlier today. He came from one quarter down to beat Jan-Lennard Struff 13-16, 18-11, 19-8, 21-6. With Holger Rune then beating Alexander Bublik, he was assured of top spot in Group B and a spot in the semi-finals. They finish off tomorrow with the semi-finals and the Grand Final and with Jack Draper not returning at all, a new champion will be crowned.

Kokki eliminates Rublev in the sudden death! 😨

Ugo Humbert reaches UTS Final Four one again! pic.twitter.com/AKBbBMQQWc
— UTS Tour (@uts_tour_) December 7, 2024

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Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of TennisUpToDate.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces across the TennisUpToDate network, playing a central role in the daily operation and development of the site.

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