We should have known that Holger Rune was destined for big things at the BNP Paribas Open after hitting that shot against Stefanos Tsitsipas. The 21-year-old’s tweener lob in the fourth round demonstrated his incredible talent and the Dane has kicked on to produce his finest tournament of 2025.

Rune moved into the final in Indian Wells after beating reigning two-time finalist Daniil Medvedev 7-5, 6-4, once again flashing his vast array of shots.

Entering the semifinal, Medvedev said having too many options could sometimes hinder Rune’s shot selection. But overall, the World No. 13 got the formula right to end a two-match losing streak against Medvedev — and seven match skid in semifinals.

“Playing Daniil for me is one of the toughest challenges on tour,” Rune said afterwards in a TV interview. “We know each other very well, practice a lot, so it was super difficult. I had the right tactic but still it made it so difficult to play him because he’s putting in a great effort, great shots and is super solid. I’m very proud of myself.”

Rune offered up numerous backhand slices on a warm, sunny afternoon at Stadium 1 to change the tempo against the World No. 6, who can rally for days and days.“I think it’s a very specific tactical plan I made with my coach yesterday evening and this morning,” said Rune. “It was about finding the right pace and finding which shots to hit because I feel like so many players, they miss too many shots against Daniil because you want to hit balls stronger. He makes you go for more.”

The match went off without a hitch, 12 months after tension arose in last year’s quarterfinal in the desert when Medvedev didn’t appreciate Rune targeting him when the Grand Slam winner was stranded at the net. Medvedev won that day by the same score, 7-5 6-4. In the middle of the first set Saturday, Rune had the opportunity to do the same thing but this time went down the line.

Medvedev’s low, early first-serve percentage cost him at the start. Rune outlasted Medvedev in a 33-shot rally to start the fifth game — that still paled in comparison to Medvedev’s 45-shot exchange against Arthur Fils in the quarterfinals — on the way to a break.

However, Medvedev immediately broke back. It began a stretch where Rune had to hang on. He was creaking. Down 0-30 at 3-4 and missing wildly at times, he changed racquets. Rune saved a break point with a potent serve in a 10-minute game.His revival began. Rune pressured Medvedev in the next game and even though he didn’t break, the break came at 5-5 when Medvedev erred on a comfortable looking volley.

Medvedev authored up the shot of the match to save a first set point, crunching a forehand passing shot on the slide. Yet to his dismay, his backhand wide sealed the set on the next point. Perhaps reeling, Medvedev was broken for 2-1 in the second, part of a spell where he lost 13 straight points.

Time was running out on him yet Medvedev produced defensive magic to get to 0-30 as Rune tried to serve out the semifinal. However, an ill advised drop shot from Medvedev allowed Rune to get to 30-all. Medvedev put a hand to his face, in disbelief at his shot.

As the drama escalated, Rune bettered Medvedev in a 38-shot rally to earn a match point, which he took. All the while, Rune never lost his cool, which has sometimes been an issue for him.

He awaits either Carlos Alcaraz or Jack Draper on Sunday in his fourth Masters final, while Medvedev’s wait to reach another final — last year in Indian Wells was the last one — continues.

“No matter who I’m going to play, I need to stay super focused, composed, relaxed and go for it,” said Rune.