After two failures in Miami in 2022 and Monte-Carlo in 2024, Casper Ruud became this Sunday a winner in Masters 1000. The Norwegian won a good battle against Jack Draper (7-5, 3-6, 6-4) in the final of the Madrid tournament.
The two men, who had hitherto lost any set during their journeys to the final, clashed for the first time on the circuit. Draper started the game with better intentions, being with a break in advance which allowed him to serve for the set (5-4, 30-15). But a double fault and a small drop in regime allowed Ruud to win the three following games to win this first act 7-5.
The second set then switched to the British side, which was much more applied (12 winning strokes, only one direct fault). Led 3-2, he chained four consecutive games to get a third and last round in this final.
However, he fell in love with the third set by losing his service game at 2-2. Less blurred physically than his opponent, Ruud managed to keep this station wagon to go to victory and his first coronation in Masters 1000.
This is the biggest title in his career, since until then only titles in the lower categories (an ATP 500 and eleven ATP 250). The double finalist of Roland-Garros will also return to the top 10 tomorrow in 7th row.
Draper will console himself with an entry into the top 5 in 5th place in the world and beautiful promises shown on clay during this Madrid tournament.
