Holger Rune is due for a redemption in Brisbane. He reached the summit clash of the season-opening event during the start of the 2024 season and now, he wants to go one step further. However, his title quest won’t have an easy map. The young talent will have to overcome several challenges, the first of which will come at the hands of Jiri Lehecka in the opening round of the Brisbane International on Monday, December 30.

Holger Rune vs Jiri Lehecka: Preview

The Danish sensation arrives in Brisbane on the back of a semifinal finish at the season-ending Paris Masters. Despite his valiant efforts to secure his maiden title for the 2024 season, Rune couldn’t overpower finalist Alexander Zverev. He lost the contest in straight sets and, with it, his final chance to secure the golden 1000 ATP points. Moreover, this also dissolved his chances of qualifying for the Turin final.

Lehecka capped the 2024 season with a bitter-sweet note after reaching the last four of the Serbia Open. The fourth seed was brutally dismissed by Canadian Denis Shapavalov in straight sets, months after he returned from his injury hiatus. He remained resilient regardless and found some footing in the final half of the season.

Rune vs Lehecka: Head-to-Head

Both players have locked horns twice on the tour. Their most recent outing came at the Shanghai Masters, with the Danish star coming out on top. For now, the duo’s head-to-head record stays titled 2-0 in favor of Rune. They will mark their fourth overall clash on Monday.

• 2024 Shanghai Masters, R32: Rune 6-4, 7-5
• 2022 Munich, R32: Rune 7-6(4), 6-3

Prediction: Rune to win in three sets

Jiri Lehecka commenced the season with a low, losing back-to-back matches at the United Cup. However, he scripted the ultimate turnaround by lifting his maiden career title at the Adelaide International. He maintained his form through the clay season, reaching the last four in Madrid with a laudable win over Rafael Nadal. However, his plans came to a halt days later. The 23-year-old was sidelined for four months due to an injury, and when he returned, he made the quarterfinals in Beijing and finished runner-up in Antwerp.

Rune’s results in 2024 did not live up to the same highs he attained during his 2023 calendar run. He reached the fourth round of the French Open and Wimbledon. That was his best record on the Slam stage for the year. Though he reached the semis in Cincinnati and Paris, the Dane endured a title deficit, with his maiden final appearance recorded in Brisbane at the season’s start. However, the 21-year-old packs a punch. His aggressive and dominating gameplay is a nightmare for many.

Given the duo’s past encounters and Rune’s experience in Brisbane, the Dane should advance to the second round of the event if he remains cautious of Lehecka’s exhausting defense gameplay.