Holger Rune had to fight has way into a second consecutive semi-final at the Swiss Indoors on Friday, holding off Argentine Tomas Martin Etcheverry 6-1, 3-6, 7-6 (6) in a dramatic finish on Friday.
Rune, the top seed, missed out on two match point chances in the final-set tiebreaker but benefitted from a net cord which landed in his favour which gave him a third victory and left his opponent seething with frustration.
Etcheverry bowed out on a double fault after nearly two and three-quarter hours.
Ruin maintained his eighth and final spot in the race to the ATP Finals in Turin from November 12.
“I was super lucky at the end,” the 20-year-old winner said.
“I’ve never had as much luck in my life. Of course I am happy to win but I feel for him.
“I know how it feels myself when these kind of things happen. I’m happy with my level. It was a tough match physically, so I am proud of myself.”
Rune ended with 11 aces among his 39 winners ; neither man was brilliant on break points with Rune converting two from 15 while his opponent went one for 10.
Rune can move up a place to seventh in the race to Turin by winning the Sunday final, which would be his second trophy of the season.
