The world eight beat the 2014 US Open champion in two hours and 55 minutes, by sets of 3-6, 6-4, 6-2 and 6-2, securing their first appearance in a decisive match of a Grand Slam.
Rafael Nadal already knows his rival in the decisive match of the Mousquetaires Cup. It will be Casper Ruud, world number eight and clay court specialist. The Norwegian secured his presence in the final by beating Marin Cilic 3-6, 6-4, 6-2, 6-2.
Thus the Scandinavian player crowns his beautiful week in Paris and the constant work he has done on clay throughout his career. Few players dominate the box at the level that Ruud has shown, even reaching seven of his eight ATP titles on clay . It’s partly because Casper has been working at the Rafa Nadal Academy since 2018 the academy of who will be his next opponent in the grand final of Roland Garros.
Ruud went less and more in the Philippe Chatrier showing the typical hesitations of a rookie in these cases. In the first set, he was far from the level that had brought him to this game and loses the set 6-3 against a Cilic who finds his best shots there.
But with the rhythm of the game already in his body, the Norwegian crushed the Croatian. He found the speed in his kicks and the response in his feet to outplay Cilic on every rally, who helpless, little by little he diminished his intensity . The second set tied it with a hard-fought 6-4, which was the momentum needed to end up winning the match in four sets.
In the third set, these differences were already noticeable and Ruud quickly went up 4-1. It was then that the curious situation of the protest on the track occurred. Despite this moment of amazement, the Scandinavian did not lose the north and closed the partial without problem. Adult, in the broken room of the entrance and comfortably beat Cilic, who closes yet another dream tournament in Paris.
Ruud will face Nadal for the first time this Sunday , in the most important match of his career. He will play his first Grand Slam final, in the most important clay-court tournament in the world, against one of the best players in history. Ruud will go for his first cup, Rafa will try to lift the 22nd. Different situations, but the same objective: to be champion in Paris.
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Source: Latercera
I’m Todderic Kirkman, a journalist and author for athletistic. I specialize in covering all news related to sports, ranging from basketball to football and everything in between. With over 10 years of experience in the industry, I have become an invaluable asset to my team. My ambition is to bring the most up-to-date information on sports topics around the world.
