Casper Ruud Outplays Jack Draper in Madrid Open Final
Ruud's victory over Draper has significant implications for the tennis world, as he becomes the first Norwegian winner of the Madrid Masters 1000 title, and sets his sights on a strong run at the French Open, where he will face stiff competition from top-ranked players.
Casper Ruud, the Norwegian tennis player, has won the Madrid Masters 1000 title, defeating Jack Draper 7-5, 3-6, 6-4 in the final, marking his first Masters 1000 title and ending a six-match losing streak in major finals.
The match was a closely contested one, with Draper breaking early in the first set, but Ruud fighting back to win the set. Draper recovered to level the match, but Ruud's serve proved decisive, winning 81% of first-serve points and breaking through to win the title. Despite struggling with a rib injury, Ruud was able to play through the pain and secure the win.
Ruud's victory has boosted his ranking, moving him to the top 10 and setting him up for a strong run at the French Open, where he will look to reach his third final in four years and claim his first Grand Slam title. Draper, who will rise to a new career-high ranking of fifth in the world, said the loss would fuel his fire to improve, and Ruud praised Draper's game, saying he had no weaknesses and would be a threat on clay.
The win marks a significant milestone for Ruud, who will continue his preparations for Roland Garros at the Italian Open this week. With his first Masters 1000 title under his belt, Ruud will be looking to carry his momentum forward and make a strong impression at the French Open.