Casper Ruud reaches the first ATP Masters 1000 final of his career in Miami - UBITENNIS

Casper Ruud reaches the first ATP Masters 1000 final of his career in Miami

By sampaolo
3 Min Read
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Casper Ruud has reached his first ATP Masters 1000 final after beating World Number 103 Francisco Cerundolo 6-4 6-1 after 1 hour and 34 minutes on Hard Rock Stadium at the Miami Open. 

Ruud held a 0-3 record in his previous Masters 1000 semifinals in Rome (2020), Monte-Carlo (2021) and Madrid (2021)  before his semifinal match against Cerundolo. 

Ruud hit 19 winners and converted 4 of his 8 break points. Cerundolo totalled 12 winners to 33 unforced errors and converted 1 of his 5 break points. 

Cerundolo broke Ruud’s first service game, but Ruud broke straight back to draw level to 1-1. Cerundolo held serve at deuce in the eighth game to draw level to 4-4. Ruud broke serve on his second set point in the 10th game to seal the opening set 6-4, when Cerundolo fired long. 

Both players held their first two service games of the second set. Ruud won the next five games with two breaks of serve in the fourth and sixth games to claim the second set 6-1. Ruud saved all four points he faced. 

“It was not where I imagine myself playing my first Masters 1000 final on a hard court, but I will take it. It is a great feeling and I am feeling and I am enjoying the city and the tournament. It was pretty brutal today. It was very brutal, which made the breathing a little tough. ”, said Ruud. 

Cerundolo was the first player to reach the semifinals on his debut at Masters 1000 level since Jerzy Janowicz reached the final in Paris Bercy in 2012. The Argentine player has become the lowest-ranked Miami semifinalist in tournament history. 

Ruud is chasing his second ATP Tour title this season after claiming the trophy in Buenos Aires last February.

Ruud scored the biggest win of his career by ATP Ranking when he beat Alexander Zverev 6-3 1-6 6-3 in the quarter final. The Norwegian player will face either defending champion Hubert Hurkacz or Spanish Next Gen player Carlos Alcaraz. 

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