Holger Rune Survives Halys’ 32 Aces for First ATP Win Since Injury

Holger Rune earned his first ATP Tour main-draw victory since returning from Achilles surgery, defeating Quentin Halys 6–4, 6–7 (2), 7–6 (5) in the opening round of the Swiss Indoors Basel on Monday. The Danish player survived 32 aces during a match lasting two hours and 40 minutes.

The result is confirmed in the ATP’s Basel report. It marks a specific step in Rune’s comeback: a win in a Tour main draw, rather than his first competitive victory at any level since returning.

Rune hit 13 aces and saved all five break points he faced, Tennis Now reported. Three of those break-point saves came in separate games during the deciding set. The pressure continued in the final tiebreak, when Halys erased Rune’s 5–1 lead to draw level at 5–5.

A double fault from Halys then gave Rune match point. Rune converted his first opportunity with a half-volley from the forecourt, completing a victory that improved his career Basel record to 11–3. He reached the final on his tournament debut in 2022, losing to Felix Auger-Aliassime.

The 23-year-old had already won twice in Davis Cup during his comeback and moved to 3–2 across his return appearances. His previous ATP victory came in Stockholm last October, during the tournament at which he originally injured his Achilles.

The former world No. 4 entered Basel ranked No. 1202 following a long absence from the tour.

Tennis Majors counted a 373-day gap between Tour victories. That makes the Basel result a recovery milestone without establishing that Rune has regained his previous ranking or competitive level.

Basel is an indoor hard-court ATP 500 event, held in the same week as Vienna. TSP’s tournament guide provides the event context. Rune advances to the second round after an opener in which his ability to protect serve proved decisive.