Ruud Reaches Italian Open Final As Sinner-Medvedev Clash Suspended By Rain
Hope
Casper Ruud booked his place in the Italian Open final after a dominant 6-1, 6-1 victory over Italy’s Luciano Darderi in Rome on Friday.
The semi-final encounter was interrupted by a lengthy rain delay with Ruud leading 4-1 in the opening set, but the Norwegian returned focused and in complete control to wrap up the match in commanding fashion.
Ruud, a two-time French Open finalist, will now face either world number one Jannik Sinner or former world number one Daniil Medvedev in Sunday’s final at the Foro Italico.
The second semi-final between Sinner and Medvedev was suspended due to rain with Sinner leading 6-2, 5-7, 4-2. The match is expected to resume on Saturday.
Sinner looked on course for a straight-sets victory after comfortably taking the opening set, but Medvedev fought back strongly in the second set as the Italian appeared to struggle physically during long rallies.
The Russian eventually claimed the second set after breaking Sinner in the final game to force a decider before the match was halted by bad weather.
Ruud’s victory continues an impressive run in Rome where he has dropped only one set throughout the tournament. The former world number two is set to return to the top 20 in the ATP rankings after his strong performances in the Italian capital.
Meanwhile, Darderi’s impressive run came to an end after the Italian had earlier eliminated top players including Alexander Zverev on his way to the semi-finals.
The Italian Open serves as one of the final major preparations ahead of the French Open, which begins later this month in Paris.
