As Denis Kudla ends career at United Cup, Frances Tiafoe thanks him for 'giving me game and support'

If there were any ill effects from his heartbreaking loss to Andrey Rublev less than two weeks ago at the Australian Open, Holger Rune certainly wasn't showing it at Davis Cup. The 19-year-old led his country to a 3-2 win over India in World Group I action in on home soil in Hillerød, returning to Davis Cup duty for the first time since 2021.

Rune played a part in all three points Denmark won. He opened the tie with a 6-2, 6-2 win over Yuki Bhambri on Friday, and paired with world No. 802 Johannes Ingildsen for a surprise 6-2, 6-4 win over Bhambri and Rohan Bopanna, the mixed doubles finalist at the Australian Open with Sania Mirza, to put the hosts ahead 2-1 to start Day 2. He later clinched the tie for Denmark with a 7-5, 6-3 win over Sumit Nagal.

But it was in his win over Bhambri where Rune shone brightest. Early in the second set, it looked as though Bhambri got the better of Rune by lofting an inch-perfect backhand lob over his head that landed plum on the baseline.

But there's no quit in this talented teenager. See for yourself.

🚨🌭🚨

Hot dog @holgerrune2003 💨#DavisCup pic.twitter.com/lqFRSF8U05
— Davis Cup (@DavisCup) February 4, 2023

(We know Rune had a busy weekend, but maybe he caught a moment of inspiration by watching Alycia Parks hit similar stunner against Petra Martic in Lyon?)

Playing home hero was the first item in a busy schedule for Rune in the coming weeks.

He's scheduled to be the top seed at the ATP 250 in Montpellier, France come Monday—the first of more than a month of tournament tennis that the world No. 9 could ultimately play. After Montpellier, he's signed up the ATP 500 in Rotterdam, the ATP 250 in Marsielle, and the ATP 500 in Acapulco through February. After that? The Sunshine Swing of Indian Wells and Miami begins days later.

While it remains to be soon just how many of those events Rune will play, one thing's for certain: If he keeps hitting hot shots like this, his matches will be must-see TV.

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Watch: Holger Rune flashes fast feet with Davis Cup tweener

WATCH: Holger Rune announced himself with a scintillating end to the 2022 season, and his win over Novak Djokovic at the Paris Masters was our No. 10 moment of the year.

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