Seed 14 Casper Ruud from Norway won the first ATP Masters 1000 title of his career, and on Sunday, in the final of Mutua Madrid Open, the Great Britain's fifth-seed Jack Draper was defeated 7-5, 3-6, 6-4.
26-year-old Ruud, a Grand Slam finalist three times, was looking for the title of 23-year-old Draper's first clay court, since the beginning of the decade, he won more-125 matches and 12 titles than any other players.
“Of course it makes you feel great,” Ruud said to six for Draper with Nine AS. “It's been a long time, and it's a really big target I've dreamed of since my youth.
“It was a great match, I knew that Jack was playing incredibly in this tournament all year and especially in this tournament, so I knew I would drown in court if I didn't bring my game of Plus.”
The tide returned to the opening set of the two-hour, 29-minute match, because Ruud won four flat games and returned from 3-5 openness. Norway was greatly reliable of the first service that won 20 (90.9 percent) from 22 of the first service scores on the set. Draper certainly did not help him, he made 14 mistakes.
Despite Five Second Set of Ruud, Draper returned, won 13 (81.3 percent) out of 16 first service points (81.3 percent) and made only a compulsory mistake compared to 14 for his opponent. Like Ruud in the first set, when Draper fell 2-3, he pulled the four straight game back to the match even on a set.
In the third determinant set, Ruud won 10 out of 15 second service points and saved both breaking points. While locked on Set 2, Ruud broke Draper's service and maintained leadership before the Forehand closes with the winners in the final match.
“First, we congratulate Casper for this win, you really deserve it, Dra Draper said for 43 winnings and three forced mistakes for Ruud (33-30). “You were more brave than me in important moments. We congratulate you and your team for all the hard work.
Ruud, victory, fell from the top 10 two weeks ago and will rise to eight points in the ATP ranking on Monday. Draper is guaranteed for the first time to be in the top five.
“Fortunately, I played really well, Ru Ruud said. “(Draper) (Draper) (Clay) won the title on every surface, where he made finals in Madrid. So an incredible year. This is a really great support and I want to continue.”
-FELD level media
