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FINISHED FURNISHED: Casper Ruud finished the quarter-finals in Hamburg with his best tennis. Photo: CATHRIN MUELLER / X07339
(Casper Ruud – Ugo Humbert 7-5, 3-6, 6-1) Casper Ruud (22) overcame adversity and pressure situations. The Norwegian is ready for the semi-finals of the Hamburg Open.
The ATP 500 tournament in Germany is turning out to be a success for the Norwegian gravel specialist. In the semifinals, the world number 14 awaits, Andrej Rublev. The Russian beat Roberto Bautista Agut 6-2, 7-5 on Friday.
Ruud has a bit of revenge on center court in Hamburg: last year he lost a three-set match against Rublev in Hamburg. Rublev reached the final where he lost against Nikoloz Basilashvili.
– I lost to him in the second round here last year. He is a good player and he reached the final. I have to be prepared for a difficult game. Tomorrow I will be an “underdog”, but I hope to get revenge, says Ruud in an interview with the organizer shown on Eurosport.
Left-hander Ugo Humbert created a lot of problems for the Norwegian. He beat Ruud in New Zealand earlier this year (hard court). With clever tempo variations, he broke Ruud’s game.
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But the Snarøya boy showed mental strength and kept up with a turning operation whenever it was necessary. He avoided two set balls and won the first set. After a weaker game in the second, he turned the game around again with strong play in the final decisive set.
Casper Ruud changed from red to black jersey and swept the Frenchman with his best tennis. The good opponent was beaten 6-1 when it mattered most.
– It was a tough game against a crooked southpaw who has a good serve. It’s not meant to look very tall, but I don’t think it was my best game in recent weeks even though I won. At least I fought well, I thought every ball is important and I stood my ground, Ruud tells NTB.
Thus, the Norwegian plays his second ATP semi-final in a week. The first ended with the loss of world number one Novak Djokovic in Rome.
– I enjoy playing on gravel. I had a good trip to the clay tournaments in South America this winter and was looking forward to the clay season coming this spring, but we know what happened. Now I’m happy that there is some gravel tennis this fall, says Ruud, ready for the first round of the French Open against Japan’s Yuichi Sugita next week.
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Casper Ruud had to work hard in the first set against the Frenchman, who beat him in New Zealand earlier this year. Ugo Humbert had the 5-4 lead and had a chance on two set balls. But Ruud showed mental strength by resisting and struggled in the clearly longest game of the set. He also won the next two.
OUT OF THE SHADOWS: Casper Ruud was in trouble several times against Ugo Humbert, you always got out of trouble. Photo: CATHRIN MUELLER / X07339
And so the Snarøya player won the first set 7-5 after the impressive switch operation.
VG followed the game live ball to ball
But in the second set it got heavier. Ugo Humbert twice broke Ruud’s serve without the Norwegian being able to respond. The 22-year-old Frenchman played Ruud’s game with tempo changes and delivered an impressive set in every way.
P.S! Casper Ruud’s clash against Andrej Rublev can be seen on Eurosport 1 and Dplay starting at 1.30pm on Saturday.
