Tag: casper ruud

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Carlos Alcaraz, Iga Swiatek Both Through At China Open | Tennis News

Carlos Alcaraz sealed a spot in the men's semi-finals of the China Open with a straight-sets victory over Norway's Casper Ruud in Beijing on Monday. The world number two triumphed 6-4, 6-2 to set up a semi-final clash with either Jannik Sinner or Grigor Dimitrov. Alcaraz shook off an early break of serve to overpower the world number nine, eventually seizing an attritional first set with a 40-0 service game. He then took control, breaking twice without reply in set two before finally forcing Ruud to slice a backhand into the net. "To be able to win these kinds of matches the way I did gives you extra confidence in your game," Alcaraz said at a post-match news conference."It was a really tough match and I had to find solutions... I had to increase my level but we had really good battles,...
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US Open: Casper Ruud Stunned By Unseeded Zhang Zhizhen In Second Round | Tennis News

Casper Ruud out of US Open.© AFPFifth seed Casper Ruud on Thursday crashed out of US Open after losing to China's Zhang Zhizhen in five sets in a second round clash. Ruud, last year's finalists, lost 4-6, 7-5, 2-6, 6-0, 6-2 to Zhizhen, who is the first men's Chinese player to knock a top-5 seed out in a Grand Slam. The 26-year-old from Shanghai -- ranked 67th in the world -- produced the match of his life to win in 3hr 19min. Zhang will now take on Australia's Rinky Hijikata, who defeated Martin Fuscovics in straight sets, in the third round on Friday.Tempers flared after Ruud had levelled the match at two sets apiece with a 6-0 fourth set.Zhang left the court for several minutes to take a toilet break and change clothes in a move that clearly disrupted Ruud's momentum.The Norwegian was...
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Andy Murray And Alexander Zverev Master Toronto Wind To Advance, Casper Ruud Wins | Tennis News

Former Toronto Masters winners Andy Murray and Alexander Zverev dispatched first-round opponents in windy conditions on Tuesday to power into the second round of the Canadian hardcourt event. Britain's Murray worked through a marathon opening set before dominating the second for a 7-6 (7/3), 6-0 victory over Italy's Lorenzo Sonego. The 36-year-old Scotsman, with three Canadian titles on his resume, earned his first victory in the country since his 2015 trophy as he defeated the Italian in two hours, eight minutes in a challenging wind.Germany's Zverev, who defeated Roger Federer for the 2017 Canadian title, reached the second round by defeating Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor 6-4, 7-6 (7/3).Third seed Casper Ruud began his US Open run-up after a bye, struggling at the start but wrapping up a...
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Wimbledon: Fourth Seed Casper Ruud Loses To Liam Broady In Rd 2 | Tennis News

World number four Casper Ruud crashed out in the second round of Wimbledon on Thursday at the hands of British wildcard Liam Broady. Broady held his nerve when trailing two sets to one against the French Open finalist, rallying to win the Centre Court clash 6-4, 3-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-0. Norway's Ruud, who has been runner-up at Roland Garros in the past two years, was also the beaten finalist at the US Open last year.The 24-year-old has never gone beyond the second round at the All England Club. Broady, 142 in the world rankings, took a medical time out at the end of the fourth set to change some bandaging on his wrist.But the 29-year-old came out fit and firing in the evening sunshine, demolishing Ruud 6-0 in the decider before soaking up the applause from the partisan crowd."I would have li...
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“23 Is A Number…”: Rafael Nadal’s Special Message For Record-Breaking Novak Djokovic | Tennis News

Rafael Nadal congratulated Novak Djokovic on winning a record 23 Grand Slam title.© AFPRafael Nadal congratulated Novak Djokovic after the Serbian won a record-extending 23rd Grand Slam title on Sunday. Djokovic achieved the feat after beating Casper Ruud in the French Open 2023 final in straight sets. Djokovic outclassed Ruud 7-6 (7/1), 6-3, 7-5 in a match that last just over three hours. Prior to Sunday's final at Roland Garros, Djokovic was tied on 22 slams each with Nadal. Earlier this year, Djokovic had levelled the Spaniard's record with his triumph at the Australian Open.Taking to Twitter after the match, Nadal, who had pulled out of the French Open due to an injury, hailed Djokovic "on this amazing achievement".Many congrats on this amazing achievement @DjokerNole23 is a number ...
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French Open: Djokovic Makes History, Wins Record 23rd Grand Slam Title | Tennis News

Novak Djokovic scripted history on Sunday as he became the first man to win 23 Grand Slam titles in Open Era, following his triumph over Norwegian Casper Ruud in the French Open men's singles final. He outclassed the fourth-seed Ruud 7-6 (7-1), 6-3, 7-5 in just over three hours at Court Philippe-Chatrier. Djokovic's triumph took him past Nadal's tally of 22 to set a new record in men's singles tennis. Overall, he is at par with Serena Williams for most majors won in Open Era.Djokovic, who was playing his 34th Grand Slam final, will also return to the top of the world rankings. He also became the first male player to win each grand slam tournament at least three times.Astonishingly, Djokovic shows no sign of slowing down as 10 of his 22 Slams have been won after turning 30.The Serb is no...
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Casper Ruud Enters French Open Final, To Face Novak Djokovic In Summit Clash | Tennis News

Alexander Zverev admits he "wouldn't bet" on Casper Ruud defeating Novak Djokovic in Sunday's French Open final but warned the Serb superstar could crack under the weight of expectation with history within touching distance. Ruud, last year's runner-up to Rafael Nadal, reached the final with a comfortable 6-3, 6-4, 6-0 over Zverev in Friday's semi-finals. Djokovic made the final in Paris for a seventh time, and 34th at the Grand Slams, with a four-set triumph over an ailing Carlos Alcaraz. Victory on Sunday would give Djokovic a record-breaking 23rd major title and make him the only man to win all four Slams on at least three occasions."Is Novak the favourite? Yes, of course. There is no question about it. He knows how it's done. He knows how to do it," said Zverev after losing in the s...
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Casper Ruud Makes Second Straight French Open Semi-Final | Tennis News

Casper Ruud fended off two break points in the opening game of the match.© AFPCasper Ruud will play Alexander Zverev in the French Open semi-finals after the Norwegian fourth seed beat Denmark's Holger Rune 6-1, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 on Wednesday. Ruud, who lost last year's Roland Garros final to Rafael Nadal, defeated sixth-ranked Rune for the fifth time in six matches and avenged his loss in the semi-finals at Rome in May. "I kind of looked at it as though he was the favourite - he won the last time we played and he's had a better year than me so far," said Ruud. "I was feeling like the underdog even though I was seeded number four and he was seeded number six."Ruud fended off two break points in the opening game of the match and then consistently put pressure on Rune's serve, breaking twice ...
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Iga Swiatek Shines In 51-minute French Open Blitz As Coco Gauff Ends Mirra Andreeva Run | Tennis News

World number one and defending champion Iga Swiatek took just 51 minutes to reach the French Open fourth round on Saturday as Coco Gauff ended 16-year-old Mirra Andreeva's memorable Paris debut. Swiatek blitzed 80th-ranked Wang Xinyu of China 6-0, 6-0 on the back of 21 winners as the 22-year-old Pole took another step closer to becoming the first woman since Justine Henin in 2007 to win back-to-back titles at Roland Garros. Of the six sets she has played so far, four have been to love. In all she has dropped just eight games through three rounds."It was a really solid performance from me. It's not easy to stay disciplined and keep your focus," said Swiatek."I took care of everything and I'm pretty happy with my performance."Swiatek, who also won the title in 2020 and is targeting a four...
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Eighth Seed Taylor Fritz Out Of Melbourne To Tearful Wildcard Alex Popyrin | Tennis News

Australian Open: Taylor Fritz lost to Alex Popyrin© AFPEighth seed Taylor Fritz became the latest top name to tumble out of the Australian Open on Thursday, ousted in round two by wildcard local hope Alex Popyrin who was in tears at the end. The American Fritz, who had a breakthrough 2022 with titles at Indian Wells, Tokyo and Eastbourne, fell in five gruelling sets at a partisan John Cain Arena. Australia's Popyrin prevailed 6-7 (4/7), 7-6 (7/2), 6-4, 6-7 (6/8), 6-2.The opening Grand Slam of the year has now lost three of its top 10 seeds before the third round, with Rafael Nadal and Casper Ruud also crashing out early."This is a dream and I don't want to wake up at all," said Popyrin, who equalled his best Grand Slam result and was reduced to tears by the crowd chanting his name."Pre-...