Casper Ruud knew how to use perseverance and patience to take the semi-final against Holger Runesecond seed, and become Acapulco finalist. The Norwegian has achieved his pass after come back from a set down and 4-2 in the third set final to win in three sets ((3-6, 6-3, 6-4) in two hours and 23 minutes.
To reach the final, Ruud had to overcome Holger Rune. With the victory against the Dane, current number 7 in the ranking, Ruud signs his first win against a TOP10 of the year. In addition to reaching their second consecutive final after falling just short of taking the title in Los Cabos last week. The good results on what, a priori, is not the favorite surface of No. 11, who has given his best version on clay, serves as a prelude to what we will see next week with the start of the first Master 1000 of the season, Indian Wells. A progression reflected in the points he has accumulated this season on fast tracks, where he has already accumulate 595 points compared to the 630 it achieved in all of 2023.
In the first set, the Dane did not make things easy for the Norwegian. He left him no choice on serve, and he knew how to take advantage of a break in the second game to end up taking the set 6-3. When it seemed that the match was going to go the Dane’s way, Ruud knew how to take advantage of his opponent’s drop in pace to show his best game and save three break chances to tie the match.
Everything would be decided in the third round. He started with the Rune advantage, achieving a break in the fourth game, but was unable to confirm the break. Once again, the Dane persisted, and he broke again in the sixth game to take a 4-2 lead. Once again, the Dane was ahead, however, he showed signs of cramping and the Norwegian knew how to take advantage of the moment. He recovered the break and confirmed the 4-4 tie. With the Rune serve, the Dane committed a pair of double faults that sealed his defeat, the Norwegian broke the ninth game to finish off the match with his serve.
De Minaur will not make it easy for him in the final
With the pass to the final, Casper Ruud aspires to win his first ATP 500 title, after having 10 ATP250 titles in his record. A match of great importance in which the Norwegian will face Alex De Miñaur, ninth in the ranking.
The Australian will not make it easy for him, the current champion of the tournament arrives with strength and desire to retain the title, after beating Jack Draper, who retired due to physical discomfort after losing the first set 6-3 and winning the second 6-2 .
2024-03-02 12:32:30
#Casper #Ruud #advances #final #Acapulco
