– I played very well today and I am very happy. It is special to beat such a highly ranked player, I have been close before, but now I was finally able to do it, says Kecmanovic in SVT’s broadcast after the win in the second round.
First-seeded crowd favorite Rune had to sit through the first round in the Royal Tennis Hall in Stockholm.
The 20-year-old’s severe lack of form since last summer deepened. Tonight’s loss was the ninth in the last ten matches on the ATP tour (plus a loss in the Davis Cup as well) for the world number six, who now loses ranking points after the shock loss.
Lost it mentally
The 53rd-ranked Serb, who beat Karl Friberg in the first round, won the super close first set in a tiebreak, 7-6(7-3).
Rune broke straight away in the second set to make it 1-0. In the penultimate ball of the game, he made several near-impossible saves and applauded the audience, who were spellbound. After the spectacular break, however, Rune lost his serve immediately and his spirit.
– He has mentally checked out, said the expert Åsa Svensson at the end of the match when Rune’s difficulties became bigger and bigger.
SVT broadcasts everything from the center court at the Nordic Open.