Casper Ruud builds momentum at Estoril Open

World No 5 Casper Ruud has reached his first semi-final of the season after downing defending champion Sebastian Baez 6-3, 6-0 in Estoril.

Ruud was happy to come through a tricky match with a victory as he looks to build momentum after a sluggish start to the term.

The Norwegian felt that the scoreline flattered him and didn’t tell the full story of what he felt was a tough match.

Ruud utilized a deep return position and pinpoint accuracy from the baseline to put fifth seed Baez on the defensive from the outset.

The Argentine will be disappointed that he only converted one of his seven break points though, with four coming in a helter skelter second set.

That said Ruud, a nine-time tour-level champion, held his ground well despite his faltering serve and advanced after one hour and 18 minutes.

“It was great, particularly the second set, it was a great level by me,” Ruud said. “Very happy and pleased with that.

“Sebastian is a tough player. The score can sometimes lie a little bit. 6-3, 6-0 is not necessarily how it felt on court. But that’s tennis, small margins in this sport and when you have the margins on your side, some points, some lines here and there can go your [way].

“It’s my first semi-final of the year, it’s important for me to try to do well now and win some matches,” Ruud said.

“This is a very good start to the clay season for me.”

Casper Ruud is set to take on Frenchman Quentin Halys in the last four as the 26-year-old enjoys a hot streak in Estoril.

Halys gained his first ATP Tour semi-final after defeating former World No. 3 Dominic Thiem 6-1, 6-4 in the last eight on Friday.

Halys saved both of the break points he faced against Thiem and converted all three of his chances on the Austrian’s serve to win in one hour and 19 minutes.

“I’m playing really, really good at the moment. For me to be here in the semi-finals for the first tournament on clay is huge for me and I’ve played some really good players,” Halys said. “I’m so happy and I’m looking forward for tomorrow because I think I can do well again tomorrow.

“It’s going to be a tough one, but I’m really looking forward [to it].”

In other results, 2018 French Open semi-finalist Marco Cecchinato and sixth seeded Serbian Miomir Kecmanovic have also set a meeting in the semi-finals.

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