Casper Ruud is ‘feeling a little bit good’ after ‘extra special’ win over Alexander Zverev in Miami

ATP Tour
Casper Ruud in action

Casper Ruud overcame a second-set slump to claim the biggest win of his career as he dumped Alexander Zverev out of the Miami Open.

The sixth seed sealed a 6-3, 1-6, 6-3 win in one hour and 38 minutes over world No 4 Zverev with an ace as he reached the fourth ATP Masters 1000 semi-final of his career.

Having lost his previous two matches against Zverev, Ruud finally got a maiden win over the German with the victory also ensuring he reached the semi-final of a hard-court Masters for the first time.

The Norwegian made the most of the only break point opportunity in game four to take the opening set. After failing to convert two break points in the first game of the second set, Ruud lost his way as Zverev broke twice en route to winning five games in a row.

The deciding set started with a break in game two for the world No 8 and he then served it out to love.

“I feel a little bit good. I mean, it’s obviously an exciting night and the biggest win of my career so far,” Ruud, who is looking to reach the first Masters final of his career, said.

“This is now the fourth time I’m reaching a semi-final in a Masters 1000 event and … the first time on hard court so that means it’s a little bit extra special for me.”

He added: “Let’s see if I can take what I have learned from the three previous semi-finals where unfortunately I lost all of them and see if I can turn it around and make the fourth time the lucky charm.”

The 23-year-old will face the unseeded Francisco Cerundolo for a place in the showpiece match after the Argentine advanced when ninth seed Jannik Sinner retired with foot blisters while 1-4 down.

The 103rd ranked Cerundolo is the lowest-ranked men’s singles semi-finalist in the Miami Open’s history.

Alexander Zverev Casper Ruud Francisco Cerundolo

Latest