Ruud into semis at ATP Finals after win over Rublev
The Norwegian will play Jannik Sinner in the last four, while Alexander Zverev takes on Taylor Fritz in the other match
Federico Pestellini / Panoramic
Casper Ruud completed the semi-final line-up at the ATP Finals as he beat Andrey Rublev 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 in the last match of the round-robin stage in Turin, a result which also eliminated Carlos Alcaraz.
Rublev had to win in straight sets to have a chance of progressing while Alcaraz, beaten in his final group match by Alexander Zverev, needed Rublev to win easily and hope he outscored the Russian on percentage of games won.
But all that went out the window thanks to a fine performance from Ruud, who moves through alongside group winner Alexander Zverev. Norway’s Ruud will now play world No 1 Jannik Sinner in the semi-finals while Zverev takes on American Taylor Fritz.
“I knew one set was enough and I was a bit nervous in the beginning because I’ve never been in that position before. After the first set I tried to enjoy myself out there.
“I tried not to wear myself out too much tonight, knowing I’ve got to play the world No 1 tomorrow.”
Mid-set blitz puts Ruud in control
Rublev began well and at 3-2, 15-30 on the Ruud serve, the pressure was on the Norwegian, who joked earlier in the event that he just doesn’t play well in autumn, as one win in seven events from the US Open until this week suggests. But the three-time Grand Slam runner-up then won 11 of the next 13 points as he broke for 4-3, taking control of the opening set.
Rublev held to force Ruud to serve it out but he was up to the task, holding to 30 to take the set and seal his place in the semi-finals.
RUBLEV continues to fight
Either man could have eased up in the second set with the semi-finals decided but they continued to battle. Rublev, in particular, maintained his focus well and had two set points at 5-4 on the Ruud serve, the Norwegian falling behind 15-40.
But a missed forehand return from Rublev and a good serve got Ruud out of trouble as he held. But two games later, with more struggles on his second serve, Ruud was 15-40 down again and this time, though he saved a third set point, he couldn’t save a fourth and the match went to a decider.
Ruud quickly reasserted himself in the third, breaking to love to lead 2-1 and grew in confidence as he pulled away for victory.
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