Mexican Open: Berrettini retirement sends Rune into semi-finals against De Minaur

Rune takes a 2-0 record over De Minaur into their semi-final clash in Acapulco

Denmark’s Holger Rune after winning his quarter final match against Italy’s Matteo Berrettini by walkover at the ATP Mexican Open Image Credit: AI / Reuters / Panoramic

Tennis Majors

March 3, 2023

Abierto Mexicano Telcel presentado por HSBC •Quarter-final • completed

See draw

M. BerrettinivsH. Rune

Denmark’s Holger Rune, the No 4 seed, advanced to the semi-finals of the Mexican Open when Italian Matteo Berrettini retired at the Princess Mundo Imperial in Acapulco on Thursday evening.

Rune, ranked No 10 in the world, was leading the former Wimbledon finalist 6-0, 1-0 when Berrettini, ranked No 24, pulled out on due to injury.

Berrettini didn’t call the doctor during the match and his injury remains unclear. He scored only 7 of the 35 points played. The Italian never showed himself really able to compete in this match.

The 19-year-old Dane will face Australian Alex De Minaur, the No 8 seed, for a spot in the final. Rune has beaten De Minaur in both their previous meetings on the ATP Tour, both coming in indoor hardcourts in 2022.

Ahead of his win today, Holger Rune defeated American wildcard Ben Shelton (6-7 (7), 6-4, 6-2) and Portuguese Nuno Borges (6-0, 6-2).

Berrettini, playing his first event since the Australian Open, benefited from the retirement of Slovak Alex Molcan (6-0, 1-0) and won against Swede lucky loser Elias Ymer (6-3, 6-3) earlier in the week

Acapulco ATP500, other Quarter-Final results (Princess Mundo Imperial, hard, USD 2,013,940, most recent results first):