Norway's tennis sensation Casper Ruud stunned fans at the Madrid Open by clinching his first Masters 1000 title in a gripping 7-5, 3-6, 6-4 win over Britain's Jack Draper. With grit and determination, Ruud battled not only a tough opponent but also a rib injury from the semifinals to capture the crown. 🎾
The 26-year-old 14th seed has been a force on clay, overcoming tough competitors like Taylor Fritz, Daniil Medvedev, and Francisco Cerundolo along the way. In a match full of twists, Ruud rallied from a 5-3 deficit in the first set, broke Draper's serve at crucial moments, and ultimately sealed the victory in the decisive third set.
Reflecting on the win, Ruud said, "It's been a long time coming. I have been dreaming about this since I was young. I knew Jack was playing unbelievably, so I had to bring my A-plus game." His journey, including three Grand Slam finals and previous Masters 1000 title matches in Miami and Monte-Carlo, makes this victory even more special.
While Draper, the 23-year-old Indian Wells champion, will celebrate a career-high climb to world number five, Ruud's triumph is a milestone that inspires young sports fans everywhere to push through challenges and dream big.
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Ruud beats Draper to win Madrid Open and take first Masters 1000 crown
cgtn.com
