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ATP Finals: Casper Ruud awakening for Andrey Rublev as Norwegian bags last semi-final place
The 22-year-old Norwegian qualifies as runner-up from the Green Group as world number one Novak Djokovic, who takes on Cameron Norrie later in Turin, is already through and faces Alexander Zverev for a place in the final.
Casper Ruud completed the last-four line-up at the ATP finals on Friday, setting up a meeting with holder Daniil Medvedev after a 2-6 7-5 7-6(5) victory over Andrey Rublev.
The 22-year-old Norwegian qualifies as runner-up from the Green Group as world number one Novak Djokovic, who takes on Cameron Norrie later in Turin, is already through and faces Alexander Zverev for a place in the final.
Making his tournament debut, Ruud bounced back from an opening defeat by Djokovic to overcome Norrie and then Rublev, and was relishing the prospect of facing Medvedev.
"I'm enjoying the moment," Ruud said. "I'm looking forward to tomorrow. It's going to be another tough battle, a different kind of player from today, but one of the best in the world. He's proven himself as one of the best over the past two or three years.
"I've played against him a couple of times and lost both, but I know a little bit about what I'm going to face and it's going to be a fun challenge."
Friday's match was a straight shootout for a last-four place, with world number five Rublev the favourite having won his four previous matches against Ruud.
The Russian duly drew first blood, securing a double break early on and took the opening set comfortably by winning 92% of his first service points.
Ruud, who came from a set down to beat Norrie on Wednesday, looked to be in trouble when he was broken early in the second. However, he became braver by stepping up to the net more to break straight back.
That courage was rewarded with the second set as Ruud found a way to return Rublev's fearsome serve and give himself a chance of facing Medvedev.
The decider was almost a mirror of the previous set as Rublev broke at 3-2, only for Ruud to immediately draw level with a break. The set went to a suitably dramatic tiebreak, where Ruud sealed his last-four spot with an ace.
Whatever happens in the semi-final this weekend, it has been a remarkable year for Ruud who won five tour singles titles and achieved his highest world ranking of eighth last month.
(Reporting by Christian Radnedge; Editing by Shrivathsa Sridhar)
