MADRID — In a thrilling display of resilience, Casper Ruud triumphed over a rib injury to secure a straight-sets victory against Francisco Cerundolo, advancing to the finals of the Madrid Open on Friday.
After receiving medical attention for his rib just three games into the match, Ruud went on to clinch the win with scores of 6-4, 7-5 on the iconic Caja Magica center court.
The Norwegian, currently ranked 15th, showcased his defensive prowess by saving 15 out of 18 break points against the Argentine competitor ranked 21st.
As a former world No. 2, Ruud’s impressive run in Madrid will propel him back into the coveted top 10 rankings.
He is set to face either sixth-ranked Jack Draper or 11th-ranked Lorenzo Musetti in the finale, with their semifinal clash taking place later on Friday.
In the women’s draw, fans can look forward to an exciting final on Saturday between Coco Gauff and the top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka.
