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(Novak Djokovic – Casper Ruud 7-5, 6-3) Casper Ruud (21) impressed during the toughest challenge of his career. World number one Novak Djokovic (33) had a tough fight, but eventually got too strong at the ATP1000 tournament in Rome.
– He trains at (Rafael) Nadal’s academy, and they have the same way of playing. He plays with a lot of spin and his forehand is really impressive, the 33-year-old said of Ruud on the Eurosport broadcast.
Djokovic said the wind was a challenge, but the Norwegian’s pattern of play also created problems. The Serbian appreciated that the public returned to the arena and was happy to have overcome the Norwegian rival.
– It was a difficult match through two sets, and the match lasted over two hours. I had to fight for most of the points and the first set could have been both ways, he said.
Christian Ruud thought Novak Djokovic might get a surprise meeting with his son, Casper Ruud. And he was a shaken world champion who had to defend two game balls from Ruud at 4-5 in the first set.
The Norwegian was very impressive on the gravel in Rome and led at most 3-5 in the game. In almost an hour of play, Ruud was in favor in the first set, and it was not until the end that the Serbian star player managed to take advantage of him.
– It feels sickly brutal that Ruud is not the one who takes the first set, the experts of the Eurosport study thought.
– It’s an absolutely fantastic first set from Casper. It takes the most raw of Djokovic to win it, said Ola Bentzen.
LOST: Casper Ruud played a good game against the best tennis player in the world, Novak Djokovic, but had to be defeated on the gravel of Rome. Photograph: CLIVE BRUNSKILL / X01348
Djokovic was occasionally frustrated throughout the game. In the quarterfinals he broke a racket, and in the semi-finals against Ruud there was both an argument with the referee and a loud roar several times.
– You are amazing! It was thundered by Djokovic when the referee ruled Ruud’s lead at one point in the second set – and television footage showed the Serb probably had a good case.
DISCUSSION: Djokovic argues with the referee about where the ball landed. Photo: CLIVE BRUNSKILL / AFP
– Almost like watching Federer!
31 degrees Celsius are brutal conditions, but both Ruud and Djokovic fought heroically in the battle in the hot pot of the Italian capital.
Ruud also kept up with wonderful details, such as when he volleyed his back to Djokovic. The battle received the nod from the world champion.
– It’s almost like seeing Federer here! Bentzen exclaimed excitedly from the commentary booth.
Ruud also gave Djokovic a good match in the second set, but at 3-2, the 33-year-old broke the Norwegian’s serve. The task of taking the lead became too difficult, but Ruud showed strength by staying away for two match balls.
The Serbian still proved too strong towards the end of the match and won the second set 6-3.
This is the tenth time that Djokovic has reached the final of the Masters 1000 tournament in Rome. He faces Denis Shapovalov or Diego Schwartzman in the final.
Casper Ruud is ranked 34th in the world, but will likely be in the top 30 after the loss to Djokovic. The Norwegian has played sensational play throughout the tournament, beating world number eight Matteo Berrettini en route to the semi-finals. According to the ATP tour, he has recorded more than 5.3 million NOK this season.
Brilliant career
Djokovic has been at the top of the world rankings since February of this year and has not been outside of the top three since August 2018.
The Serbian is the third-winningest tennis player of all time on the men’s side with 17 wins, and is just three Grand Slam titles behind leader Roger Federer. Djokovic is six years younger than the Swiss and has a good chance of registering as number one in tennis history.
Together with Rafael Nadal, Djokovic and Federer they have dominated the tennis world for a long time.
