France does well at Holger Rune.
Six months ago, it was on the clay courts of Roland Garros that this young Scandinavian born in 2003 made a name for himself in the world of tennis by reaching the quarter-finals.
This Sunday, it was at the Accor Arena in Bercy that he lifted the first major trophy of his budding career.
In the final, he dismissed world number 7 Novak Djoković in three sets (3-6, 6-3, 7-5) and deprived the Serb of a seventh title in Paris.
A scenario however very difficult to predict as the first set is a model of authority delivered by the Serb.
Relying as always on an implacable defense, the world number 7 managed to control the passion of his young opponent.
Imperial on his serve, “Nole” left only a handful of crumbs for Rune.
The Dane concedes the break at 2-1 in favor of the Serb who will then quietly take off in this first round concludes with a shutout.
At this moment, the Serb appears sure of his fact and seems to be heading straight for a 91st career title.
Read alsoTennis: "Stop acting like a baby", why Stanislas Wawrinka got angry at Holger Rune?
But Holger Rune did not play three finals in a row by the operation of the Holy Spirit.
And the Scandinavian was obviously keen to prove it to the public at Bercy.
From the start of the second set, he takes on the Serb at his own game by imposing an iron defense that allows him to keep his serve in extremis.
An 8-minute long game that will visibly blunt Djoković somewhat, who commits several unforced errors on his serve before offering the break to Rune on an unscrewed forehand.
A certain advantage that the Dane will keep brilliantly until the end of this second set, won 6-3 quite calmly.
No, Holger Rune does not intend to helplessly witness the triumph of his illustrious elder.
An unbreathable end to the match
However, he started the third round awkwardly, first yielding under pressure from Djoković before attempting a second ball at more than 200 km/h which offered the Serbian a break (1-3).
But in less time than it takes to tell, the tempestuous Scandinavian takes over the opposing service well helped by the shaky hamstrings of the world number 7.
But the "Djoker" has more than one trick up his sleeve and again puts strong pressure on Rune who struggles to conclude his service game at 4-3 for the Serb.
But despite 38 Masters 1000 on the clock, Djoković will eventually crack and concede the break at the worst of times, giving Rune the possibility of concluding on his serve.
And at the end of an absolutely unbreathable end to the match where he will dismiss five break points, Holger Rune emerges victorious from this duel with a knife.
New proof if needed that the succession of men's tennis is well and truly assured.