Casper Ruud reflects on mental reset from Barcelona Open for huge win over Daniil Medvedev in Madrid Open

Casper Ruud will return to the Top 10 rankings if he reaches the final in the Madrid Open.

Casper Ruud reflects on mental reset from Barcelona Open for huge win over Daniil Medvedev in Madrid Open

Casper Ruud and Daniil Medvedev (image via Mutua Madrid Open)

Casper Ruud is into his second semifinal of the season, with his first one being at the Dallas Open. Ruud was unable to defend his Barcelona Open title two weeks ago, losing to eventual champion Holger Rune in the quarterfinals.

The Norwegian subsequently dropped out of the Top 10 in the ATP rankings for the first time since last February. But with his run to a ninth Masters 1000 semi-final, Ruud is up three spots to No. 12 in the Live Rankings and will return to the Top 10 if he reaches the final in the Madrid Open.

Ruud had entered the quarterfinals of the Madrid Open having lost all three of his previous encounters in straight sets against his opponent, Daniil Medvedev. However, the 26-year-old turned the tables around this time as they met for the first time on clay, which is Ruud’s forte and Medvedev’s least favorite surface.

Well if you look on paper, I should’ve lost today and I should’ve lost the other day. Kind of a bit. I came here on a bit of a tough defeat in Barcelona. I worked a bit on myself. Especially my mental aspect approaching matches and tournaments. So I think I’m coming into the tournament with a better version of myself. I’ve been playing with good intensity this tournament. I’d like to keep it going. There’s been some kind of fire missing lately so I’m happy to bring it in Madrid.

Casper Ruud said in post-match interview

In the match, the Russian adopted a more aggressive approach, aiming to combat Ruud’s heavy topspin groundstrokes by taking them on the rise or even out of the air. However, Ruud remained patient, crucially saving each of the two break points he faced in the first set, and converting the only one he carved out at 5-5 in the second to seal the victory 6-3, 7-5.

Ruud, who is yet to drop a set in the tournament, will be aiming for his first Masters 1000 title. He has defeated Taylor Fritz, Sebastian Korda, and Arthur Rinderknech in prior rounds of the tournament.

Casper Ruud will face Francisco Cerundolo in the Madrid Open semifinal

Casper Ruud is into his second Madrid Open semifinal, where he will face Francisco Cerundolo. The Argentine has a 5-3 head-to-head record over Ruud and has won their last two encounters. However, both have 2 victories on clay over each other. This is Cerundolo’s fourth semifinal of the season.

Francisco Cerundolo Madrid Open 2025
Francisco Cerundolo (image via X)

Cerundolo defeated top seed Alexander Zverev in straight sets in the round of 16 of the Madrid Open. In the quarterfinals he had a thrilling encounter with Jakub Mensik.

The Miami Open champion took the first set smoothly, however, Cerundolo bounced back in the second set. Trailing at 5-4, Mensik fought hard to take the set to tiebreak, but couldn’t break Cerundolo as he clinched the second set.

During the decider, the tide turned towards Cerundolo as he broke Mensik in the first set and took a 2-0 lead. Though Mensik held serve and won two points, Cerundolo dominated it from 3-2, hitting a good number of winners to seal the victory 6-3, 7(7)-6(5), 6-2.

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