(Video) Casper Ruud Smashes Incredible Behind-the-Back Shot Against Aleksandar Vukic in Tokyo

Casper Ruud will be meeting first seed, Carlos Alcaraz, for the sixth time in his career.

(Video) Casper Ruud Smashes Incredible Behind-the-Back Shot Against Aleksandar Vukic in Tokyo

Casper Ruud hits a stunning shot during his Japan Open match (Image via X/The Tennis Letter)

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Casper Ruud is into the semifinals of the Japan Open. On Sunday (September 28), Ruud went past Australia’s Aleksandar Vukic to reach his first singles semifinal since his Madrid Open triumph back in May.

Ruud won the first set 6-3. In the following set, when both were locked at 1-1, Vukic served, and they engaged in a rally from the baseline. From the back of the court, when Ruud hit the ball toward the net, Vukic sprinted forward and successfully returned it, only to receive the ball back in his side off a stunning behind-the-back shot from the Norwegian ace. The unseeded player failed to return the ball as it got smashed onto the net.

Watch the video here:

Ruud is aiming to win his first title at the Japan Open, where last year he lost to Jordan Thompson in straight sets in the opening round. The 26-year-old is chasing his second title of the season after his win at the Madrid Open.

Apart from Madrid, Ruud also reached the final of the Dallas Open, only to suffer a straight-set defeat to Denis Shapovalov. The last ATP 500 title that Ruud won was at the Barcelona Open last year by beating Stefanos Tsitsipas.

Casper Ruud will face Carlos Alcaraz in the semifinals of the Japan Open

Carlos Alcaraz reached the semifinals of the Japan Open in his maiden appearance. After Casper Ruud‘s quarterfinal win, the six-time Grand Slam champion entered the Ariake Coliseum and wasted no time to knock out American ace, Brandon Nakashima, 6-2, 6-4.

Carlos Alcaraz
Carlos Alcaraz (Image via X/Carlos Alcaraz 4K)

This means Alcaraz and Ruud will clash in the semifinals on September 29. The three-time Grand Slam finalist has faced Alcaraz five times, winning only the round robin clash at the 2024 ATP Finals in their last encounter.

Alcaraz is bidding to win his third ATP 500 trophy of the season after his wins over Alex de Minaur and Jiri Lehecka in the Rotterdam Open and the Queen’s Club Championships, respectively. The winner of the Alcaraz versus Ruud will square off against Jenson Brooksby or Taylor Fritz in the championship clash.

Alcaraz is also aiming to win his eighth title of the season. If he beats Ruud, he will reach his ninth consecutive singles final.

Casper Ruud is the newest ambassador for Mango Man

Mango Man magazine announced earlier this week that Ruud is their newest brand ambassador. Ruud is the face of the Fall/Winter 2025 Essentials collection.

Casper Ruud (via X/The Tennis Letter)
Casper Ruud (via X/The Tennis Letter)

Inspired by the rhythm of Casper Ruud – a tennis player known for his control, consistency and quiet strength – the Mango design team has developed a collection that follows the same philosophy.

Mango Man’s press release read

For Ruud, his journey is not about “noise” because it’s about “building something real“. Before Ruud, names from the footballing world, such as Antoine Griezmann, Gerard Pique, and Zinedine Zidane, as well as actor Adrien Brody, are also the brand ambassadors for Mango Man.

A versatile selection of purposeful garments that feel as purposeful as they look. Just as precision defines Casper’s movements on the tennis court, it also defines the craftsmanship and design of our garments, where every detail serves both a purpose and a performance.

Mango Man’s press release added

Before Tokyo, Ruud was in San Francisco for the eighth edition of the Laver Cup, where Team Europe failed to defend their title, while Team World clinched their third title. Ruud won his lone singles match against Reilly Opelka. In doubles, he won and lost a match each. The pair of Alcaraz and Ruud beat Opelka and Alex Michelsen. But Ruud and Holger Rune lost to Michelsen and de Minaur.

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