Casper Ruud dismissed any stressful fears and put his game into auto-mode for a 7-6 (6), 6-4 victory over Tomas Martin Etcheverry at the Barcelona Open to reach his fourth final of the season.
The sixth-ranked Norwegian who has lost 2024 title matches in Los Cabos, Acapulco and Monte Carlo a week ago, increased his lead in the season match-win stakes to 28 – three ahead of Jannik Sinner.
Ruud will wait for a Sunday opponent as Stefanos Tsitsipas – winner over Ruud six days ago in Monte Carlo – plays Dusan Lajovic in the second Spanish semi–final.
Ruud said he didn’t want to over-think his match, a problem in the past in big matches.
“I play my best when I stay cool and don’t think too much,” he said. “I thought of this one as a tough practice match.
“I’ll try to play the final not thinking too much about what is at stake. I’m not saying I’ll turn my brain off, but…”
Ruud slogged through a 73-minute opening set against his Argentine opponent and made life more difficult as he failed to capitalise on a lead of 4-2, 40-15 in a set which eventually went to a tiebreaker.
The pair traded breaks to start the second set, with the Scandinavian pulling ahead as he broke for 3-2 and earned victory in his second of three match points after nearly two hours.
“He could have won the first set, it was a bit fortunate for me today. I”m happy with my level – it was a high-quality match, my best this week in Barcelona.
“Hopefully I can top it off tomorrow with an even better one.
“I’m sure I’ll dream of the final tonight but I don’t want to put too much pressure on myself.”
Main photo:- Casper Ruud winning today’s semi-final in Barcelona – by ATPTour.com
Rafael Nadal lined up for what was to be the final match of his career…
Jannik Sinner took charge in front of his home crowd on Sunday, crushing ATP Finals…
Daniil Medvedev went into meltdown mode on Sunday during a highly charged 6-4, 6-3 loss, with opponent…
Jannik Sinner could well be missing from the opening European clay event of next season…
Rafael Nadal will bring down the curtain on his career next month as he plays his…
Wimbledon on Wednesday brought an end to human linecalling at the most traditional of the…