Casper Ruud is back in a Masters 1000 final — and back in the Top 10 — after a gritty, high-stakes performance on Friday at the Mutua Madrid Open. The 14th-seeded Norwegian overcame a rib injury and a spirited challenge from Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo to claim a 6-4, 7-5 victory in one hour and 54 minutes, earning his spot in Sunday’s championship match at the prestigious clay-court event.
The win marks Ruud’s third career ATP Masters 1000 final appearance and sets up a showdown against either fifth seed Jack Draper or 10th seed Lorenzo Musetti. It also guarantees the 12-time ATP Tour champion will return to the Top 10 of the PIF ATP Rankings on Monday — a quick rebound after slipping just outside the elite group two weeks ago.
Ruud Fights Through Injury and Pressure
Ruud’s path to the final was far from smooth. He required a medical timeout after just three games to receive treatment on his rib — an injury he later revealed had begun during warm-up.
READ MORE: Gabriel Diallo Turns Lucky Loser Slot into Historic Masters 1000 Run in Madrid
“I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to finish the match, honestly,” Ruud admitted in his post-match interview. “I felt something in my rib during the warm up, just towards the end before going out [on court], and I felt it in nearly every shot, especially the serve.”
Despite the discomfort, Ruud dug deep — aided by a quick visit from the physio and a dose of painkillers — and delivered a masterclass in mental fortitude. He saved 15 of 18 break points across the match, including seven in a single game during a pivotal moment in the second set.
“There’s not too much you can do,” he added. “You only have three minutes [with the physio]. So I will go and check it out more now. But I was able to just play one game at a time really. It was easing and getting better as the match went on.”
Turning the Tide on Cerundolo
Ruud’s win also snapped a two-match losing streak against Cerundolo, including a straight-sets defeat on the hard courts of Miami earlier this year. With this victory, he now trails 4-5 in their Lexus ATP Head2Head rivalry.
On Friday, Ruud’s resilience was evident from the opening game, when he fought back from 0/40 to hold serve. That opening hold set the tone for a fiercely contested match. After holding off Cerundolo’s early pressure, Ruud seized the first set with a break in the 10th game, capitalizing on his opponent’s inconsistency under pressure.
The second set was a roller-coaster, featuring five breaks of serve and several momentum swings. The match’s defining stretch came in the fifth game, where Ruud saved an astonishing seven break points to take a 3-2 lead. Although Cerundolo briefly struck back to level the set, Ruud regained control by winning four of the next five games.
Into the Final: Historic Opportunity Awaits
With his place in the final secured, Ruud is now poised to make history. A victory on Sunday would make him the first Norwegian to win a Masters 1000 title since the series was introduced in 1990. It would also catapult him as high as World No. 6 in the ATP Rankings, marking a significant step in his steady rise back toward the upper echelons of the men’s game.
Ruud has previously finished runner-up at two Masters 1000 events — Miami in 2022 and Monte-Carlo in 2024. With his Madrid run, he continues to solidify his status as one of the tour’s most consistent clay-court competitors, having not dropped a single set en route to the final.
Whether he faces Britain’s Jack Draper or Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti in the final, Ruud will bring momentum, experience, and the quiet confidence of a player who has already navigated the storm.
Stat Sheet: Ruud vs. Cerundolo (Madrid SF 2025)
- Final Score: 6-4, 7-5
- Duration: 1 hour, 54 minutes
- Break Points Faced/Saved: 18 / 15
- Breaks of Serve Converted: 4
- Masters 1000 Finals (career): 3rd
- Sets Dropped This Tournament: 0
What’s Next
Ruud now awaits the outcome of the second semi-final between Draper and Musetti. Both rising stars have had strong clay-court seasons and will provide a stiff test for the Norwegian. The Madrid final is scheduled for Sunday, May 4, where the 25-year-old will aim to lift the most prestigious title of his career to date.
