MADRID – With the help of painkillers, Casperudo defeated Francisco Cerundo in a straight set and overcomes his rib disease to reach the Madrid Open Final on Friday.
Rudo will face Jack Draper, who will take on his third final, beating Lorenzo Musetti 6-3, 7-6 (4) in the other semi-finals.
Rood received three matches in the ribs, winning 6-4, 7-5 at Kaja Magica Center Court.
The 15th-ranked Norwegian saved 15 of the 18 breakpoints faced by 21st-ranked Argentina.
Rude said he felt something in his rib while warming up just before he went out to court. He said, “I felt that with almost every shot, especially the serve.”
“To be honest, I wasn’t sure I could finish the game,” Rood said. “I got some painkillers, which isn’t ideal, but at the same time, in situations like this, you have to do it from time to time. It alleviates and gets better as the game progresses.”
Formerly number two in the world, Rudo returns to the top 10 thanks to his campaign in Madrid. He managed to win the final and reach sixth place in the rankings.
According to ATP, Ruud, a 12-time tour champion since the series was introduced in 1990, became the first Norwegian to lift the ATP 1000 trophy.
Rudo lost twice in a row against Serundo.
Red hot draper
Draper, who was sixth, improved his record to 4-0 against Musetti, who was 11th.
Draper won the Indian Wells in March. After his quarterfinal victory in Madrid, he earned his top five debut in the rankings.
“It felt like both of us. Our quality didn’t really drop from the first ball,” Draper said. “Lorentzo’s achievement, he’s clearly playing really well with clay. I played him so hard when we were juniors when we were growing up with him. But in clay, he’s another beast.
Coco Gauff and top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka will meet in the women’s final on Saturday.