Holger Rune and Novak Djokovic performed out one other three-set epic on Sunday on the Nitto ATP Finals, the place the Serbian prevailed to maneuver to 3-2 within the pair’s Lexus ATP Head2Head collection. It’s the fourth time in a row the pair’s clashes have gone to deciding units, with Rune successful at the very least one set in all 5 encounters.

Regardless of his defeat, Rune was pleased with how he fought towards the World No. 1 once more.

“We’ve had nice matches all the time once we performed,” Rune mentioned. “Sadly I could not do it as we speak, however that is how it’s. I’ve to look ahead and take the issues out of the match I used to be pleased with, take the issues out of the match that I wasn’t pleased with, and return to the practise tomorrow and attempt to make them higher.

“I assumed it was the next stage match than in Paris, that I’m glad,” added Rune, who misplaced in three units to Djokovic on the Masters 1000 occasion in France earlier this month. “The consequence was fairly comparable. Novak is an incredible participant.”

Rune, who’s making his debut on the prestigious year-end occasion, pushed Djokovic laborious all through the three-hour, four-minute conflict earlier than finally falling brief. The 20-year-old is happy with how he dealt with the bodily component of the match.

“I feel bodily I felt okay. In fact, I really feel it. We performed [for] three hours. However I am positive he additionally felt it just a little bit,” Rune mentioned. “I used to be prepared, if I had the prospect, from 5-3 to 5-4 to maintain going, however that did not occur. I feel I attempted to handle my vitality nearly as good as doable throughout the match, not use an excessive amount of pointless vitality, and keep calm and play the tennis that I prefer to play.”

Watching on in Rune’s field was coach Boris Becker, who had a profitable spell working with Djokovic from 2014-16. The Dane is happy to be working with the German.

“It is nice. It is actually good. He [Becker] has been there many, many instances himself, which helps,” Rune mentioned. “He can provide out from his expertise, give that to me on the right way to deal with the issues on the court docket, off the court docket. We’re nonetheless within the event, so let’s proceed to struggle.”

Rune will face Stefanos Tsitsipas in his second Inexperienced Group match earlier than ending towards Jannik Sinner. The 20-year-old continues to be alive within the occasion.