This Monday, Cameron Norrie was largely beaten by a very good Casper Ruud (6-2, 6-4). The Norwegian, unstoppable since Monte-Carlo (11 victories in 12 matches, 1 title and 1 final) masters his subject. Without playing his best tennis, he seems to have quite a margin on clay and has not yet been challenged (in Madrid). Very calm, the world number 6 thus disposed of a helpless Norrie in complete tranquility.
Asked at a press conference about the level of his tormentor, the world number 30 was very complimentary. Impressed by the level of his opponent, especially on the backhand (the Norwegian’s usual weak point), Norrie did not hesitate to make Casper Ruud the favorite for the title and not only in Madrid: “He always does well here in Madrid and he hit his backhand incredibly well today, I was really impressed. He passed me a few times and I’m not sure he missed many backhands today (Monday), maybe one in the first game and that’s all I remember, so it It was really an impressive level from him. I would say he is the favorite of the tournament and probably also the favorite of Roland‐Garros. […] I was very impressed with the quality of his game. He is obviously very confident, he played very well in Monte‐Carlo and in Barcelona, which surprised me a little. I managed to regain the upper hand a little in the second set but I was a little disappointed by the last game. It’s a good lesson.”
Ruud has established himself as one of the best players in the world on clay, that’s obvious. That said, isn’t Cameron Norrie moving a little too quickly by saying that Ruud is the only favorite for the coronation in Paris? Perhaps not, but the question is certainly worth asking.
Whatever happens, Ruud will challenge Felix Auger-Aliassime this Tuesday for a place in the quarter-finals of this Masters 1000 in Madrid.
2024-04-30 16:33:00
#favorite #tournament #favorite #RolandGarros
