Casper Ruud Made it to the History Books
Casper Ruud made it to the history books by winning the Madrid Open 2025. The 26-year-old became the first Norwegian to lift this title. This is also Ruud’s first-ever ATP 1000 title after losing the last two finals. He defeated Jack Draper in an end-to-end final that went into three sets. Ruud won the first set but lost the second one. He won the third and final set to win the championship for his side.
Two late breaks seal the first set
Jack Draper was the favourite heading into this match. He has a better ATP rank than Ruud and was the man in form. However, Ruud has more experience than his British compatriot. He was looking to win a major trophy.
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The first set saw Draper taking an early lead. He broke Ruud in his second serve of the match. This gave a lot of momentum to the 23-year-old. Draper was on a 5-4 lead and was serving for the set. Ruud made a comeback by breaking him late in the match. He levelled the score at 5-5 and then won a point on his serve.
This gave him an advantage and another chance to stay in the set. The Norwegian was not looking to take the set into a tie-breaker. Instead, he broke once again in the last serve of the set to take it 7-5. Both players managed a 100% conversion rate for the break points earned.
Draper leaves it late in the second set
Casper Ruud was in the lead and one set away from his maiden ATP 1000 title. However, Draper had other plans. He was eyeing his second ATP 1000 title. The youngster knew that he had to secure this set to stay in the game. The set was tied at 3-3. Draper made the first break in the second set. He was on a 4-3 advantage.
Ruud got a chance to get back into the game in the very next serve. The Norwegian failed to convert his two break points and allowed Draper to take a 5-3 advantage. Draper then won his second break point of the set to seal a 6-3 win.
Casper Ruud edges Draper in a gripping decider
The match was tied at 1-1 and could have gone in anyone’s favour. Ruud tried to take an early advantage in the third point. This was the longest point of the match. Draper saved three break points in a point that had six deuces. In the very next game, Ruud saved two break points to keep his hopes alive. He then managed to make the first break in the third set to take a 3-2 advantage.
Ruud had another opportunity to go 5-2 up, but Draper saved another break point. In the end, Ruud managed to win the trophy by saving two break points and winning one of his own.
A two-time French Open runner-up finally managed to win his first ATP 1000 title. This will be a huge boost for the 26-year-old. He has entered the semi-final stage in the last three French Open tournaments and will be eyeing a first Grand Slam this time.
