Contender Ruud overpowers Cerundolo to secure a place in Madrid Open finals

Surviving the Heat and the Crowd, Casper Ruud Storms into Madrid Open Final

In a nail-biting one-hour 54-minute battle, Casper Ruud overcame numerous obstacles to book a spot in the Madrid Open final. Next up is either Jack Draper or Lorenzo Musetti.

Ruud, 26, faced a rowdy Argentinian crowd and some early chest discomfort but emerged victorious, showcasing his mental fortitude. Their rivalry goes back to Ruud's Monte Carlo win last year.

The Norwegian started strong, saving four break points before securing his opening serve. But, at the 2-1 changeover, Ruud felt sharp pains in his chest while warming up. After a quick medical timeout and some painkillers, he was back on the court, ready to face the challenge.

Initially, it seemed like Cerundolo might take advantage of the interruption, snatching two games to lead 3-2. However, like a phoenix rising, Ruud struck back, increasing the pressure with an impressive inside-out forehand. This set the stage for his triumphant 6-4, 7-5 victory.

The second set was a tense affair, with both players battling for control. It ended up featuring an astonishing combined five breaks of serve out of 18 break points opportunities. In a pivotal 13-minute game, Ruud saved an impressive seven break points to lead 3-2. This wasn't without a minor hiccup - a heated exchange with the chair umpire over disruptive fans.

In game 12, Ruud converted a second match point to advance to the final. His opponent, Cerundolo, graciously offered him a friendly "Good luck" at the net.

Ruud had dropped to 15th in the world rankings. However, his impressive performance in Madrid has him projected to return to the top 10.

Post-match, Ruud admitted that he wasn't certain he could finish the match due to his chest discomfort. "I took a couple of painkillers, which is not ideal but in a situation like this, you have to do that every now and then," he said, promising to get his injury checked out further.[1][2]

[1] Enrichment Data: In this thrilling clash, Casper Ruud displayed remarkable determination and resilience. Despite sustaining rib discomfort during warm-up, Ruud used clever play and steady serve to outmaneuver Francisco Cerundolo 6-4, 7-5.[2][3] Ruud saved 15 of 18 break points, including a clutch 14-minute game in the second set where he repelled seven break points.[2][4] Olé, Madrid!

[2] Masters 1000 Finals: This is Ruud's third Masters 1000 final, underscoring his skill on clay. Previous clay triumphs include defeating top-ranked opponents like Daniil Medvedev and Taylor Fritz.[5]

[3] Aggressive Tactics: Throughout the match, Ruud neutralized Cerundolo's aggressive tactics using consistent baseline play and strategic serving.[3][4]

[4] Adversity and Mental Toughness: Ruud's ability to maintain composure under pressure and physical strain was evident. Despite his rib issue, he credited his mental fortitude and tactical play for his victory.[2][3]

[5] Clay Court Mastery: Ruud's recent semifinals appearance in Monte Carlo demonstrates his prowess on clay, a trend that continues into the Madrid Open.

In the intensity of the Madrid Open, Casper Ruud, facing rib discomfort and a hostile Argentinian crowd, served with mental toughness and strategic play to triumph over Francisco Cerundolo.
Despite the timeout due to his rib pain and the heated exchange with the chair umpire over disruptive fans, Ruud maintained composure under pressure, saving 15 out of 18 break points in the match.
With his victory in the Madrid Open, Casper Ruud showcased his ability to master adversity and dominant clay court tennis, positioning himself to return to the top 10 in sports rankings.