Runner-up Rune off and running

Holger Rune, finalist at the Swiss Indoors two years ago, advanced into the second round for a third consecutive year on Tuesday with a 6-4, 7-6 (3) defeat of Nicolas Jarry.

The Danish fourth seed fell in the 2022 final to Felix Auger-Aliassime as the Canadian claimed the first of back-to-back trophies here.

Rune, coached here a year ago by Boris Becker before that arrangement fell apart, won the 43rd indoor match of his career with his defeat of Chile’s Jarry in 87 minutes.

The Dane wrapped up victory with his 11th ace as he moved into the second round against Swiss wild card Dominic Stricker, who defeated tallon Griekspoor 6-4, 6-4.

Rune, whose best results have come during the autumn indoor season, has now won eight of 10 career Basel matches.

“This is a good court for me,” the winner said. :I broke through in 2022 here.

“Today I felt good from start to finish – nothing spectacular, just super-solid.”

The Dane added: “I had to accept that he would be serving big, I just wanted to control what I could.

“The match against Stricker could be a brutal atmosphere, but I’m looking forward to it.

“It’s good to be back playing and getting some rhythm. I took a week off after the Asian swing.”

Rune earned the lone service break of the evening in the opening game and advanced with 16 winners.