Experience pays off: Casper Ruud outlasts Francisco Cerundolo in Madrid semifinal

Friday, 02 May 2025 at 18:29

Casper Ruud defeated Francisco Cerundolo 6-4, 7-5 and secured his place in the final of the Madrid Open. The Norwegian reached his third Masters 1000 final after another great performance and will seek his first title in a tournament of this category.

It was not a simple match for Ruud, even though Cerundolo was a dark horse of the tournament. The South American previously led Ruud 5-3 in their head-to-head record and has consistently shown that he can beat the best, including three previous wins against top-5 players this season.

First Set

Ruud, not quite at his best, took advantage of his greater experience at this stage and was better in the key moments. The world No. 15 started the match by saving four break points against him, and a few games later, he secured a break in his favor on the first opportunity he had.

However, Cerundolo would not be intimidated so easily and broke back in the next game, leveling the score at 3-3. Nevertheless, in the decisive moments of the set, serving at 4-5, Ruud earned a couple of chances and ended up taking the set 6-4 after 45 minutes.

Second Set

Towards the second set, it was Cerundolo who got the first break and went ahead 2-1, but similarly to the first set, Ruud broke back and saved the tie. Then came the most contested game of the day. The Argentine world No. 21 created up to seven break opportunities, but again Ruud prevailed in the critical points and ended up saving a key game in the match.

Both players traded breaks to stay level until 5-5. Ruud found himself serving at 0-40, but Cerundolo could not convert the break after five consecutive points from the Norwegian. Finally, the 3-time Grand Slam runner-up stepped on the gas and secured the decisive break, avoiding a tie-break and closing out the victory 6-4, 7-5 to advance to the final. He awaits the winner between Lorenzo Musetti and Jack Draper.

Match Statistics Cerundolo vs. Ruud

Cerundolo	VS	Ruud
	Service
2	Aces	4
3	Double Faults	3
62% (40/65)	1st Service Percentage	67% (57/85)
68% (27/40)	1st Service Points Won	63% (36/57)
44% (11/25)	2nd Service Points Won	43% (12/28)
44% (4/9)	Break Points Saved	83% (15/18)
55% (6/11)	Service Games	73% (8/11)
	Return
37% (21/57)	1st Return Points Won	33% (13/40)
57% (16/28)	2nd Return Points Won	56% (14/25)
-	Break Points Saved	-
	Other
1h 51m	Match Duration	1h 51m

Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

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