Ruud extends ATP Finals hope with win over Harris

Casper Ruud is in a fierce battle for the final two spots at the ATP Finals and today he bested Lloyd Harris in Vienna making a significant step towards qualification.

Ruud is currently played exactly in the spot which would allow him to compete at the ATP Finals in Turin. After Hubert Hurkacz crashed out yesterday the Norwegian has a good chance to qualify after this event however he will need a great result. So far it's been good as the Norwegian squeezed past Lloyd Harris in a very tight match 7-5 7-6(2).

The match went largely as expected for an indoor match. Powerful and precise serves from both players did not allow for many chances in the match. Harris was sensational on his own serve barely needing more than 3 shots to finish off points. The key moment came very late in the set when Ruud was up 6-5. Harris looked comfortable in that game starting off with 30-0 but he ended up facing a break point.

Another blown forehand wide and it was 7-5 for Ruud. A huge win for the Norwegian in a set where he appeared to struggle more than Harris did. The 2nd set was pretty much the same as the first set. Once again powerful serves reigned supreme and neither player allowed a break point. Ruud was a bit more solid overall than Harris and it showed in the tiebreak.

In it, it was the Norwegian who was better besting Harris 7-2. It's the 2nd time Ruud defeated Harris in the past 30 days and this win brings him ever closer to qualify for the ATP Finals in Turin.