Ruud sinks Rublev to reach Nitto ATP Finals SFs

Casper Ruud sealed his spot in the semi-finals at the Nitto ATP Finals for the third time on Friday night in Turin, where he overcame Andrey Rublev 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 to end the World No. 9’s own progression hopes.

Ruud needed just a set to join the John Newcombe group winner Alexander Zverev in the semi-finals but ensured he would finish the round-robin stage with a 2-1 record after producing a high-class third-set performance against Rublev.

HE'S DONE IT ?@CasperRuud98 defeats Rublev 6-4 5-7 6-2 and is back in the semi-finals for a third time in Turin!#NittoATPFinals pic.twitter.com/Y3OO9rxL22

Ruud arrived in Turin having lost his past four matches but has looked close to his best this week, also defeating Carlos Alcaraz.

"Tennis is interesting sometimes. I don't know what I am doing better this week than the past few weeks but the only thing is serving, I am serving really well," Ruud said after reaching the semis. "It is tough to play the best players in the world but nice because you feel you are an underdog and can play free and you know if you don't bring your A plus level you will likely lose.

"I knew coming into this match that a set was enough to qualify, so I was a bit nervous at the start. So when I got that first set I could breath out a little. I still focused on the match and finished with a good third set."

Ruud fired 34 winners and stepped into court behind pinpoint first serves to gain the upper hand in the baseline exchanges. With his one-hour, 45-minute victory, Ruud improved to 3-5 in his Lexus ATP Head2Head series against Rublev.

Ruud fell to Novak Djokovic in the title match at the prestigious year-end event in 2022 and also reached the semi-finals on debut in 2021. The Norwegian will face the No 1 player in the PIF ATP Rankings Jannik Sinner in the last four on Saturday night, while Alexander Zverev takes on Taylor Fritz in the day.

Ruud trails Sinner 0-2 in the pair's Head2Head series, but they have not met since 2021.

"I think so for sure," Ruud said when asked if he is the underdog against Sinner. "He is the best player in the world all year and is playing at home and has not dropped a set all week. He is the player to beat this year and I am going to do my best. It seems like this guy almost forgot how to lose. I will see if I can come up with something to challenge here. I will be prepared for probably the toughest match of the year."

Rublev ends the season 43-26, highlighted by his run to the title at the ATP Masters 1000 event in Madrid. The 27-year-old went 0-3 in the round-robin stage in Turin, where he also lost to Zverev and Alcaraz.

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