Former WTA star ‘shocked’ by Casper Ruud’s performance against Jack Draper in the Madrid Open final
Casper Ruud defeated Jack Draper 7-5, 3-6, 6-4 to win the biggest title of his career at the Madrid Open.
Follow Us
Jack Draper, Casper Ruud (images via Mutua Madrid Open)
Casper Ruud claimed his first ATP Masters 1000 title after beating Jack Draper in three sets at the Madrid Open final. The World No.7 produced a near-flawless performance to outplay the British star. Former WTA star Annabel Croft revealed after the match what surprised her about Ruud’s display.
Ruud arrived at the Madrid Open with a poor run of form that had seen him fail to defend the Barcelona Open and reach the Monte Carlo Masters final. He had also dropped out of the Top 10. But in the ATP Masters 1000 tournament, he impressed so much that he didn’t drop en route to the final.
The Norwegian began the final against Draper at his best, but let his lead slip and was 3-5 before winning four consecutive match points to take the opening set 7-5. However, Draper bounced back to claim the second set, but Ruud was strong enough to regroup and beat the British star 7-5, 3-6, 6-4.
Ruud had not won a set in his previous two Masters 1000 finals but outlasted Draper after two hours and 29 minutes. Annabel Croft revealed that she was shocked at how brave Ruud played in key moments of the match.
You don’t get to number two in the world, which he was at one stage in his career, for nothing. He literally stepped up to the line and took his chance. As Jack said in his speech, he was brave at key moments, and that forehand was something to behold.
Annabel Croft said via Sky Sports
The victory now sees Ruud back into the Top 10 and currently sits as World No. 7 in the ATP rankings. He has now become the first Norwegian to win an ATP 1000 title since the introduction of the format in 1990.
Former Doubles player praises Casper Ruud for his display at the Madrid Open
Casper Ruud deserves huge praise for the way he performed at the Madrid Open. The Norwegian star had revealed that he had needed help after having a mental health issue this season because of a run of poor results. Despite the difficulties he was facing in his career, he did well to win the Madrid title. Former Doubles player Colin Fleming revealed that Ruud’s solid team was also behind his victory.
He seems to have a very solid team. His Dad is his coach, but a solid wider team and a very close family. They are all there in the box. I am sure that has helped him. This is a guy who has been number two in the world, three Slam finals, two Masters finals. You feel like he is slipping, he is outside the top 10 and not achieving the results. That can define you day to day.
Colin Fleming said
Ruud will now hope to continue with his form at the Italian Open, which starts on May 7. He will open his campaign in the second round in Rome against a qualifier. However, he has a potential clash against Jannik Sinner in the quarter-finals.
Jack Draper faces a tough draw at the Italian Open after Madrid fine run
Jack Draper’s run at the Madrid Open was immensely impressive. Though the British star began his clay season with just one win at the Monte Carlo, he proved he can adapt to the surface very fast. Finishing as runners-up in Madrid was enough to see him overtake Novak Djokovic and become the World No.5.
He will now hope to improve on.his performance at the Italian Open in Rome. The fifth seed has a bye in the first round and will face either Yunchaokete Bu or Luciano Darderi in the second round. After that, a potential meeting against Sebastian Baez awaits him. The third round of the ATP 1000 Masters event.
Draper has a challenging draw and it might be hard for him to replicate the Madrid result. He has a potential clash against the 2023 Italian Open runners-up Holger Rune in the fourth round, before a likely meeting against Carlos Alcaraz in the quarter-finals. If he does succeed in those tough matches, he might face Alexander Zverev in the semi-finals.
/techfirstnow/media/agency_attachments/kATjCXskQdJKkXN0OuqW.png)