Rune is confident that he can challenge Sinner and win, while Moratoglou refers to Alcaraz as a "power hitter."

Following his advancement to the quarterfinals at the Cincinnati Masters, Rune expressed confidence that he has discovered his optimal state, asserting that he can now effectively challenge both Sinner and Alcaraz. Furthermore, prominent tennis coach Moratoglou recently spoke about Alcaraz in an interview, calling him a "power hitter"!

In the fourth round of the men's singles, seventh seed Rune encountered a dramatic scene—he won the first set 6-4 and was leading 3-1 in the second set when his opponent, Tiafoe, had to retire due to a sudden back spasm. The Dane advanced to the quarterfinals without breaking a sweat, marking his second consecutive appearance in the last eight of the tournament, which is also his tenth career entry into the Masters quarterfinals.

After the match, Rune displayed strong confidence, stating in the post-match press conference: "I firmly believe that I possess excellent skills at the moment, just as I have demonstrated in the past. I am absolutely capable of challenging them (Sinner and Alcaraz) and taking victory from them. My performance improved today, and I am more satisfied with my level; everything is moving in the direction I desire."

Rune's bold words are not mere talk; he holds a 2-2 record against Alcaraz, having defeated him to win the title in the Barcelona final this year. Against Sinner, he has a record of 2 wins and 3 losses, which is slightly unfavorable, but each match has been very close. At this year's Australian Open, Rune had a significant advantage against Sinner, but crucial points ultimately led to his defeat, indicating that their strengths are closely matched.

Moreover, the improvement in his technique is a key factor in his current confidence. After the start of the North American hard court season, Rune made a pivotal move to break the "little two giants" monopoly by inviting tennis legend Agassi to serve as a "wisdom mentor." Agassi is renowned not only for his return game but also for his ability to develop players' mental resilience. Rune admitted, "He has given me groundbreaking advice, especially in predicting returns."

In this year's Cincinnati tournament, Rune's past technical shortcomings have become his breakthrough points. Previously, his error rate was high, and he often faltered in crucial points. However, in several matches at Cincinnati this year, he displayed clear tactics and handled break points and key shots with decisiveness and calmness. Agassi's guidance may serve as his "secret weapon" against obstacles at the US Open.

Additionally, Rune's former coach Moratoglou recently provided sharp insights into the playing styles of the new generation of players on a program. When discussing Alcaraz, he praised his versatile talent: "For example, Alcaraz appears to be more of a power hitter, but I find that interesting because he can do many different things, and he does each one extremely well. He can drop shot, come to the net, has incredible power, and great touch. He can return and volley, accomplishing all of this in a single match. The matches are never dull; there's always something new."

However, he also pointed out the core differences between Alcaraz and others: "While he may not be as stable as peak Nadal or Djokovic, nor as consistent as the current Sinner, his firepower is significantly stronger."

In his view, Sinner represents "stable control," Alcaraz embodies "all-around offense," while Rune is emerging as a "clutch player" challenging the existing landscape.

In the next round, Rune will face qualifier and world No. 136 Altman, who turned the tables on local favorite and fourth seed Fritz with a score of 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, leveling their head-to-head record at 1-1 (from last year's Shanghai Masters second round) and marking his first victory over a top-5 player and first entry into the Masters quarterfinals! This will be a test of Rune's current form; can he fulfill his promise? Let's wait and see!(Source: Tennis Home, Author: Lu Xiaotian)