Rune Aims for Miami Open Win Against Opelka Amidst Rising Tensions

MIAMI, Fla. — Holger Rune is gearing up for a highly anticipated showdown against Reilly Opelka in the second round of the Miami Open on Saturday. The match follows Rune’s recent runner-up finish at the Indian Wells Masters, where he lost to champion Jack Draper.

“I think in my mind it’s very clear what I need to practice on the next day and what I have to do better in Miami. It’s really to play way more aggressive,” the 21-year-old Dane stated after his Indian Wells defeat. As the eleventh seed in the Miami tournament, Rune received a bye in the opening round and is keen to capitalize on his recent form.

Meanwhile, Opelka enters the Miami Masters after a Round of 16 exit at the Challenger Phoenix. The unseeded American faced countryman Chris Eubanks in his opening match at the Masters 1000 tournament, securing a straight-sets victory. Despite having the hometown crowd in his favor, Opelka must prove his mettle against Rune, whom he has never faced before, making this match a pivotal one.

Opelka, standing at 6 feet 11 inches, is known for his powerful serve, which can reach speeds of 227 km/h. Despite a rocky start to the year, including a runner-up finish at the Brisbane International where he had to retire early due to injury, Opelka managed to secure a quarterfinal berth in Dallas. However, his recent results have shown inconsistency, with early exits in Delray Beach and Indian Wells.

On the other hand, Rune, who has an 11-7 win-loss record for 2025, aims to build on his recent success. Last week marked his biggest accomplishment of the year with a finalist finish in Indian Wells, advancing his profile as a rising star in professional tennis.

Greg Butyn, a data analyst at Dimers, remarked, “By incorporating recent updates and various other inputs, we estimate that Holger Rune is more likely to win, while Reilly Opelka has a lower chance of victory.” Dimers’ predictive model gives Rune a 62% chance of defeating Opelka, highlighting his aggressive playing style as a potential game-changer.

This impending match is also underscored by an ongoing lawsuit against the ATP regarding prize money disputes, in which Opelka is involved as a plaintiff. Rune himself has been drawn into the conversation due to his participation in a controversial exhibition match called the Six Kings Slam in Saudi Arabia. The situation adds another layer of intrigue as both players prepare to step onto the court.

The ATP Miami Open match is set to commence at 4:15 PM ET on Saturday. With both players bringing different strengths and tensions surrounding their encounter, fans and analysts alike are eager to see how this match unfolds.