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Casper Ruud earned one of many largest wins of his profession on Thursday, upsetting red-hot Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas 7-6(4), 6-4 to succeed in the quarter-finals of the Mutua Madrid Open.
The Norwegian had beforehand been winless in opposition to high 5 opponents within the FedEx ATP Rankings. However the World No. 22 confirmed no worry in opposition to the fourth seed, incomes the lone break of serve within the second set to triumph after one hour and 34 minutes.
“He is among the greatest gamers this yr on the Tour, one of many ones who has gained probably the most matches. He is gained his first Masters 1000 in Monte-Carlo. Barcelona he was very near getting the title there, as effectively,” Ruud mentioned of Tsitsipas. “However the circumstances are a bit totally different right here than different clay courts with the quick photographs, the ball touring sooner by means of the air due to the altitude. You get loads of free factors with the serve that you do not often [get] on the clay courts. I feel that additionally at present went a bit in my benefit.
“I felt like he was doing a little errors that he would not all the time do. I used to be simply making an attempt to deal with the probabilities that I bought.”
Ruud is into the quarter-finals of his third consecutive clay-court ATP Masters 1000 occasion. The 22-year-old made the semi-finals of final yr’s Worldwide BNL d’Italia and this season’s Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters.
“It is given me an increasing number of confidence the extra matches I’ve gained,” Ruud mentioned. “I am feeling good, particularly right here in Europe on the clay.”
Tsitsipas is the chief within the FedEx ATP Race To Turin, having lifted his maiden Masters 1000 trophy in Monte-Carlo and reaching the ultimate in Barcelona, the place he held championship level in opposition to Rafael Nadal within the ultimate earlier than dropping. However he was unable to overwhelm Ruud, who didn’t face a break level in his victory.
The Subsequent Gen ATP Finals alumnus could have an opportunity to make the final 4 within the Caja Magica when he performs Alexander Bublik, who defeated 2021 breakthrough star Aslan Karatsev 6-4, 6-3 earlier within the day. The Norwegian gained his solely earlier ATP Head2Head conflict in opposition to Bublik in three units in St. Petersburg two years in the past.
“He is undoubtedly enjoying very effectively right here in Madrid. He additionally gained three matches. He is serving unbelievable,” Ruud mentioned. “He can do something with the ball. He can play drop photographs and winners, probably the most unbelievable photographs. Underarm serve. I’ve to be ready for every part tomorrow.”
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