Tennis – Ruud offers himself Zverev and his “greatest victory”

Published31 mars 2022, 09:20

Casper Ruud knocked out Alexander Zverev in the Miami Masters 1000 quarterfinals. Thursday evening, Belinda Bencic plays a semi-final in Florida.

Casper Ruud is not just a clay court player and he proved it on Wednesday.

AFP

Casper Ruud (8th in the world) qualified for the semi-finals of the Masters 1000 in Miami on Wednesday, beating 6-3 1-6 6-3 the German Alexander Zverev (4th), the “biggest victory of his career” so far.

The 23-year-old Norwegian reached the last four of a Masters 1000 for the fourth time – three defeats on clay – and will be opposed to the surprising Argentinian, Francisco Cerundolo (103rd in the world), who took advantage of the abandonment of the Italian Jannik Sinner (11th) at 1-4.

Very offensive, Ruud often attacked the net, relying on his excellent service and formidable straight shot, often overflowing an opponent who had beaten him in their first two confrontations, already in the quarterfinals of Masters 1000 in Cincinnati and Paris , last year.

Apart from a slump in the second set, following which he had his right foot treated, the Norwegian, in search of an 8th title on the ATP circuit, has never been worried by Zverev. Since his bloodshed in Acapulco, Sascha definitely can’t do it anymore.

Four matches are scheduled in Miami on Thursday. Daniil Medvedev will face Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz from 7 p.m. (Swiss time) before a women’s semi-final between Belinda Bencic and Naomi Osaka. Faced with Miomir Kecmanovic, the Spanish nugget Carlos Alcaraz will then try to rally the last four then the future world No. 1 Iga Swiatek, who remains on 15 consecutive successes, will challenge Jessica Pegula.

(AFP)