The world number 4 qualified after beating Russian Andrey Rublev in the semifinals
The Norwegian Casper Ruud, No. 4 in the world, qualified this Saturday in Turin for the Masters final by defeating the Russian Andrey Rublev (7th) 6-2, 6-4, and will face Novak Djokovic on Sunday for the title .
At 23, Ruud, who has played in two Grand Slam finals this year (Roland Garros and US Open), is participating for the second time in the tournament that brings together the eight best players of the season.
Last year he was eliminated in the semifinals.
As usual, Rublev was explosive in the first exchanges. He won his first game to love and only lost one point in the second. At the same time, Ruud had a harder time containing the Russian with his own serves, but he won them to make it 2-2.
Then Rublev dropped eight games in a row to the point where he was crying into his towel at the 3-0 turnaround in the second set and was sending his coach signs of helplessness and incomprehension, rather than anger.
Trailing 6-2 and 4-0, he finally managed to hold his serve, with the support of the public, who were surprised to see the man who defeated Daniil Medvedev and Stefanos Tsitsipas play so listless (23 unforced errors against 8 for Ruud and 16 ‘winners’ against 17).
With Ruud serving to win, Rublev suddenly found his rhythm. Surprised to see his opponent suddenly become effective again, it was the Norwegian who seemed momentarily stunned. Rublev took advantage of a break from Ruud to get back up to 5-3 and then 5-4.
But the younger of the two rallied and calmly won his last service game to seal a place in the final.
