+++ Holger Rune (DEN) wins a third-set tiebreak to defeat Botic van
de Zandschulp (NED) in a memorable final +++ Winner’s Car BMW i4 M50
made in the BMW Group home plant in Munich +++ Alexander Erler and
Lucas Miedler (both AUT) win the doubles +++
München. For Holger Rune, the BMW Open by American
Express must increasingly feel like playing in his own living room.
The Dane remains undefeated in the MTTC Iphitos, having won the ATP
World Tour event in Munich for the second year in a row. In a repeat
of the 2022 final, the 19-year-old needed 2:52 hours to defeat Botic
van der Zandschulp from the Netherlands 6:4, 1:6, 7:6 (3). Rune’s
reward for his fourth ATP title was € 85,605 in prize money, the
traditional champion’s lederhosen, and the fully-electric Winner’s
Car. The BMW i4 M50 in Frozen Pure Grey metallic (power consumption:
22.5-18.1 kWh/100km; CO2 emissions: 0 g/km; range: 414-520 km) is
manufactured just a few kilometres from center court at the BMW Group
home plant in Munich. Now with two BMW Winner’s Cars in his
collection, it is about time the world number seven took his driving test.
“On behalf of the BMW Group, I would like to congratulate Holger Rune
on his fantastic performance and title at the BMW Open by American
Express 2023. We are proud to have been the title partner of this
magnificent tournament since 1987 and to provide a stage for
world-class tennis in the singles and doubles competitions, as well as
for para-athletes. The BMW i4 M50 is also a high-performance sports
car and guarantees our winner all-electric driving pleasure,” said
Pieter Nota, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, responsible
for Customer, Brands and Sales at the presentation ceremony, during
which he handed over the keys to the Winner’s Car. During the
tournament week, a record of more than 43,000 visitors enjoyed
world-class tennis at first hand.
The final was a repeat of the 2022 title decider. Last year, van de
Zandschulp was forced to retire with health issues in the opening set.
This time, Rune struggled with a painful shoulder from the second set,
and then twisted his right foot in set three. However, the Dane
battled on in a match full of sporting drama. In the final set, he
fended off two match points on van de Zandschulp at both 2:5 and 5:6.
Rune then promptly converted his first match point in the tie-break to
successfully defend his title.
“It was a struggle. I never thought that I could get back into the
match again. I was playing on the very limit and am overjoyed to have
won here again. I am already looking forward to the 2024 BMW Open by
American Express,” said Rune, who received his trophy from
Minister-President of Bavaria Markus Söder. The BMW i4 M50 was driven
onto center court by BMW brand ambassador Lena Gercke who, like last
year, chauffeured the beaming winner across the red clay.
The BMW i4 combines fully-electric driving pleasure from BMW i and
sporty handling from BMW M with a high level of comfort and everyday
suitability. Equipped with fifth-generation BMW eDrive technology, the
BMW i4 M50 delivers sporty performance values and an extensive range
(WLTP) of up to 520 kilometres. Like the prize car, the shuttle fleet
used by BMW during the tournament was also exclusively electric. It
comprised BMW i7, BMW iX, BMW iX3 and BMW iX1 models.
The doubles competition at the BMW Open by American Express 2023 was
won by Austrians Alexander Erler and Lucas Miedler, who defeated the
German Davis Cup doubles pairing of Kevin Krawietz and Tim Pütz 6:3,
6:4. The Para Trophy by Allianz, which was held as part of the BMW
Open by American Express, was won by the top favourite. World number
one Alfie Hewitt from Great Britain overcame Dutchman Tom Egberink
7:5, 6:3 in a high-class final.
The BMW Group thanks the organiser MMP Event, MTTC Iphitos, American
Express and all other partners, as well as all the volunteers, for
their commitment and is looking forward to the 37th BMW
Open by American Express next year.
BMW i4 M50: (Electric power consumption combined:
22.5-18.1 kWh/100 km in the WLTP cycle; CO2 emissions: 0 g/km;
electric range: 414-520 km [000 miles] in the WLTP cycle; figures in
the NEDC: – 😉
