Rune is the winner in an incredible 4-hour race!

Holger Rune celebrated an improbable qualification to the “8” of Roland Garros, who beat Francisco Cerundolo 7-6(3), 3-6, 6-4, 1-6, 7-6(7).

The 20-year-old Dane celebrated the qualification to the “8” for the second year in a row, in as many participations in the Paris Grand Slam.

Serudolo, however, proved too tough to die, with the two players putting up a marathon four-hour battle.

Rooney came out strong in the first set and broke early (3-1), escaping 4-1, but Cerundolo broke it to level at 5-5, and withstood the pressure for 6-6, taking the set to tie break. In this the Dane made the difference with two mini breaks (7-3) and made it 1-0.

The battle heated up in the second set. Rooney stopped five break points for 1-1, but the Argentine broke for 3-1 and held his serve for 4-1, leveling the set at 1-1 at 6-3.

Rooney retook the lead 6-4 for the 2-1 set, with Cerundolo storming back in the fourth to level again at 2-2 set 6-1.

In the fifth set the two players reached 4-4 without losses, with Rune reaching the break first and Cerundolo immediately erasing it.

Fate led them to the super tie break, where the Argentine led twice with a mini break and the Dane erased them, running a run for 10-7.

He will next face Casper Rudd, who advanced with a comfortable 7-6(3), 7-5, 7-5 win over Nicolas Yari.

HEART OF A LION ??????

Holger Rune outlasts Francisco Cerundolo 7-6(3) 3-6 6-4 1-6 7-6(10-7) and will face Casper Ruud in a repeat of last year’s quarter-final ???#RolandGarros | @holgerrune2003 pic.twitter.com/7h704Y8L8a

— Eurosport (@eurosport) June 5, 2023

Holger Rune, HOW?! ??#RolandGarros | @holgerrune2003 pic.twitter.com/ALmiGsPFGs

— Eurosport (@eurosport) June 5, 2023