Holger Rune becomes first teenager since Rafael Nadal to reach Monte-Carlo final

In a rain-disrupted match, Holger Rune toppled Jannik Sinner to become the first teenager since his idol Rafael Nadal to reach the Monte-Carlo Masters final.

Rune rallied impressively against Sinner to win a thrilling semifinal and continue his strong run in Monaco. In a match that lasted almost three hours, Rune hit four aces as he staged a stirring comeback to win 1-6, 7-5, 7-5.

Rune is currently ranked No. 9 in the world, and would fancy his chances of reaching a career-high ranking of No. 6 - which he can if he lifts the crown on Sunday. In the summit clash, Rune will take on Andrey Rublev, who defeated Taylor Fritz, 5-7, 6-1, 6-3 to book his spot in the finals.

Besides emulating Nadal's feat, the Dane has also become just the third teenager - after the Spanish duo of Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz - to reach ATP Masters 1000 finals on multiple surfaces. In 2022, Rune beat Djokovic to win his maiden ATP Masters 1000 event, the Paris Masters.

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How did Rafael Nadal fare at the 2006 Monte-Carlo Masters?

ATP Masters Series - Monte Carlo

A 19-year-old Rafael Nadal won five titles in 2006, including the Roland Garros singles title. In Monte-Carlo, the Spaniard, who was ranked No. 2 in the world at the time, won his second title of the season.

Seeded second at the Masters 1000 tournament, the "King of Clay" didn't drop a single set until the semifinals.

Nadal faced Arnaud Clement in the first round, winning with a convincing score of 6-4, 6-4. In the second round, the 22-time Grand Slam winner locked horns with Jean-Rene Lisnard and beat him 6-4, 6-1.

Up against Belgium's Kristof Vliegen next, Nadal won 6-3, 6-3 to book his spot in the quarterfinals. Playing against sixth seed Guillermo Coria in the last eight of the tournament, the Mallorcan won in straight sets again.

Next taking on then World No. 8 Gaston Gaudio, Rafael Nadal shrugged off an early scare before clinching the match 5-7, 6-1, 6-1.

In the summit clash, the Spaniard faced his toughest opponent, the then World No. 1 and top seed, Roger Federer. Up against the Swiss great, Nadal held his nerve to win 6–2, 6–7(2), 6–3, 7–6(5) for his second Monte-Carlo Masters singles title.