Stefanos Tsitsipas shows respect for in-form Casper Ruud ahead of Toronto clash

World No. 3 Stefanos Tsitsipas has praised rising Norwegian Casper Ruud forward of their conflict on the Toronto Masters. Tsitsipas noticed off Karen Khachanov 6-3 6-2 within the Toronto Masters round-of-16 to succeed in the quarterfinal. Ruud just lately received three titles in as many weeks as he received all of it in Bastad, Gstaad and Kitzbuhel.

“Casper is a participant that has been growing superb just lately. He had an incredible clay-court season,” Tsitsipas stated. “He is somebody that serves very properly, has an excellent serve-and-first-ball sample that works rather well for him.

I believe he is in all probability among the finest gamers on the market to have the serve and first ball contained in the three first photographs that he hits. “It is positively one thing that I will have to concentrate to, and apply extra strain in the direction of that.”

Tsitsipas wanting ahead to clashing Ruud

Ruud has received 14 consecutive matches and Tsitsipas is hoping to finish his streak. [I am] wanting ahead to that battle,” Tsitsipas stated. “We’ve got performed one another previously.

Not a simple man to play towards. In search of a change, in search of a switch-up this time.” Ruud has heard these doubting him. “I’ve seen lots of people questioning my skill to play on laborious courtroom, so I simply thought it was humorous to write down somewhat be aware,” Ruud stated in his post-match press convention.

“I believe it is enjoyable to play on laborious courts. Though I (have achieved) most of my greatest outcomes on clay, my greatest slam result’s from this 12 months’s Australian Open (the place he reached the Spherical of 16), so I believe it is a floor that can also go well with my sport properly although this 12 months has been primarily clay.

“I believe I am motivated to return again to the laborious courts. I’ve had two superb matches right here. It is a fantastic begin for me to the hard-court swing”.