Casper Ruud is happy to end his semi-final losing streak as he faces Denis Shapovalov in the Geneva final.
The Norwegian cruised into the final in Switzerland with a comfortable 6-3 6-2 win over Pablo Andujar in a match which lasted 80 minutes.
It was a step too far for Andujar, who beat Roger Federer earlier in the week, as the world number 21 didn’t even face a single break point in his commanding performance.
After the win Ruud said he was motivated to end his bad run in semi-finals, “I think I’ve been losing a couple of semi-finals the last times I’ve played and I think it was four semi-finals in a row that I lost so I really wanted to reach another final,” Ruud admitted in his press conference.
“The first one of the year. And the first one since well that was the last match the tour all shut down in Santiago when I played in the final against Thiago Wild.
“So yeah it had been some time since my previous final. I was eager and motivated to win this match and I started off well and was able to keep up a high level for the whole match.”
In the final Ruud will play Denis Shapovalov who reached his third career victory over Pablo Cuevas.
After the match Ruud praised the Canadian after watching his epic clash with Rafael Nadal last week, “Denis has been playing good on the surface recently,” Ruud claimed.
“And he took Nadal on his knees last week in Rome and had match points. I was watching the match, he was playing very well and has been playing well here.”
Speaking of Nadal, Ruud has said that he will be practicing with the Spaniard next week in Mallorca as Nadal prepares for an unprecedented 14th Roland Garros title.
In his press conference the world number 21 gave some insight in what its like practicing with the King of Clay, “I will go to Mallorca probably to relax for a day or two before start practicing not again but practice a couple days before going to Paris,” Ruud explained.
“Rafa is obviously there preparing for the tournament and Roland Garros so it will be very good preparation and I think he is eager to play a little bit next week so I have to maybe enjoy a day or two off before I can be ready for tough practices with him in Mallorca.”
Before Ruud can think of relaxation and facing Nadal in practice sessions, Ruud will meet Denis Shapovalov in the Geneva final. It will be the first meeting between the duo.
The final will take place at 4pm local time.
