Ruudsubdues Cerundolo, advances to the championship game.
Madrid Showdown: Casper Ruud Battles Through Rib Injury to Reach Final
In a gritty display of determination, 14th-seeded Casper Ruud battled past Francisco Cerundolo Friday, snaring a spot in the Madrid Open final despite a nagging rib injury. The heated three-set match unfolded on the Manolo Santana court at the Caja Magica, culminating in a hard-earned 6-4, 7-5 victory for the Norwegian prodigy.
Ruud, who fell prey to the injury early in the contest, was treated posthaste after only three games. undeterred, the resilient contender defied the odds, fending off 15 of the 18 break points faced by Cerundolo.
Facing a formidable opponent, Ruud faced daunting challenges from the get-go, admitting to experiencing intense rib pain throughout his warm-up routine. As he confided, “Honestly, I wasn't sure I could finish the match. I took some painkillers, which isn't ideal, but sometimes you have to do it. The pain eased and got better as the match went on."
Ruud's unwavering perseverance paid off, earning him a return to the ATP top 10 and bringing him ever closer to a possible sixth ranking if he should claim the title.
Friday's final contest pits Ruud against British wildcard Jack Draper, who sent Italian Lorenzo Musetti packing with a convincing 6-3, 7-6 (4) set victory. This marks the fourth time Draper has emerged victorious over Musetti in their career. The Briton's commanding performance in Madrid has propelled him into the top-5 ATP rankings.
In the hard-fought match, Draper showcased his mastery over the clay surface, managing to maintain momentum with Musetti throughout the encounter. "I felt like our level didn't really drop from the first ball," Draper recounted. "Credit to Lorenzo, he's playing very well on clay. I've played him on hard courts and grass when we were juniors. But on clay, it's a different level, so to win this match in this stadium, in the semifinals, is very important for me."
In the women's final, American Coco Gauff and world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka will square off on Saturday, bringing an exciting conclusion to a tournament filled with unexpected twists and turns. As the Madrid Open nears its climax, the stage is set for some unforgettable showdowns.
In the anticipated final, Casper Ruud, who managed to reach the Madrid Open final with a rib injury, will face Jack Draper. Despite experiencing intense pain throughout his warm-up routine, Ruud Religiously took painkillers and displayed unwavering perseverance, leading him to a potential return to the ATP top 10. On the other hand, Draper, who has previously defeated Musetti four times, showcased his mastery over the clay surface in his semifinal win. Meanwhile, in the women's final, Coco Gauff and world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka will square off, promising an exciting conclusion to the tournament filled with unexpected twists and turns.
