The final ATP Finals semifinalist has been determined and it will be Casper Ruud who sensationally came back to win against Andrey Rublev eliminating the Russian from the event.
The first set was largely on the racquet of Andrey Rublev who played his signature aggressive style. His level was nothing special but Ruud failed to find a winning strategy. He tried to be defensive and it didn't work. He tried to be aggressive and he overhit far too many balls. Rublev simply had all the answers and he cruised to a rather comfortable 6-2 finish.
The 2nd set was another great one where the Russian proved a bit better early. He was feeling his game but over time Ruud was finding different ways to counter that. The Norwegian went all out after he lost his serve early in the 2nd set and it worked as he pulled back the break immediately. After that, both players had a chance to go ahead but neither was able to do so.
Ruud was able to hold his lead until 6-5 when Rublev completely fell apart giving him three set points. The Norwegian used them to win the 2nd set and prolong the match. The 3rd set featured strong play by both early and neither allowed much. Rublev was once again the one who found a break first taking a 3-2 lead but once again failed to hold onto it.
The Russian had a break point late in the set at 5-5 but once again failed to convert it and it proved costly. In the tiebreak, he once again got outplayed by Ruud in the most important rallies which is why the Norwegian won the match. He moves on after eliminating a very disappointing Rublev.
Casper Ruud, who had a negative career record on hardcourts before 2021, continues his incredible 2021 season and beats Andrey Rublev 2-6, 7-5, 7-6(5) to reach the semifinals of the ATP Finals, against Medvedev. Ruud cameback from a break down in both 2nd and 3rd sets.
