Casper Ruud has reached his third Masters 1000 final after overcoming Argentina's Francisco Cerundolo 6-4, 7-5 in the semifinals in Madrid. The match lasted about an hour and 50 minutes.

Ruud, seeded 14th, was the first to find himself in the role of a catch-up player in the match, but after a rebreak he calmed down and then made another break to pull ahead. In the second set, the Norwegian's difficulties were even greater - Cerundolo led twice with a break, but both times he cracked, eventually allowing another break that sent Ruud to the final in the Spanish capital. The key to the final outcome turned out to be that the Scandinavian saved 15 of the 18 break points against his opponent.

Ruud will play in his third Masters final after losing in Miami 2022 and Monte Carlo 2024, so he will be fighting for his debut title in this category. The two-time Roland Garros runner-up will be fighting for the 13th trophy of his career and first of the year.

His opponent in the final will be determined by the match between Jack Draper and Lorenzo Musetti, who take the court later tonight. | BGNES