Thus, the Italian is ready for the final of the ATP Finals at home in Turin.
– It’s a different level. He gets overrun, says TV 2 commentator Christian Paasche about Casper Ruud.
– You just have to take your hat off to Jannik Sinner, says his co-commentator Christer Francke.
Earlier on Saturday, American Taylor Fritz secured the second final spot by defeating Alexander Zverev. The match was dramatic and was decided in a tiebreak in the third set.
Ruud reached the semifinals for the third time in three attempts at the ATP Finals. Only seven players have done that before him.
– He is simply a few levels too good, says Casper Ruud to TV 2.
– It’s good to know how high the level can be. I have to try to learn from him. He plays flawless tennis in the first three or four games. I feel a bit stressed in baseline duels. You feel like you’re being whipped around, continues Norway’s tennis profile.
The Italian has won 49 out of 52 sets on hardcourt this season. And has not lost a single match.
The Norwegian raised his game and easily took the first serve game in the second set. Ruud served well and was about to break to 3–1. But Sinner fought back from 0–30 to win the game.
Instead, Ruud had to struggle hard in his next serve game – and suddenly Sinner had turned it to 3–2. The Italian also won Ruud’s next serve game, and ultimately served in for 6–2.
<img alt="Casper Ruud lost in two straight sets against Jannik Sinner Saturday evening. Photo: Antonio Calanni / AP / NTB" class="_image_e3l64_72 layout-component layout-normal" data-fullscreen-sizes="(min-width: 1000px) 2000px, 2000vw" data-track-element-type="Article image fullscreen" data-track-name="ImageFullscreen" height="3053" itemprop="image" loading="lazy" sizes="(min-width: 980px) 980px, 100vw" src="https://akamai.vgc.no/v2/images/2443aa82-effa-4611-8d0e-5c97105e05c8?format=auto&w=40&s=c6b6761e77a47c891ede13a579ed9ff6209193cb" srcset="https://akamai.vgc.no/v2/images/2443aa82-effa-4611-8d0e-5c97105e05c8?format=auto&w=40&s=c6b6761e77a47c891ede13a579ed9ff6209193cb 40w, https://akamai.vgc.no/v2/images/2443aa82-effa-4611-8d0e-5c97105e05c8?format=auto&w=80&s=4e69efad2d13f3518633228556955bc56a718043 80w, https://akamai.vgc.no/v2/images/2443aa82-effa-4611-8d0e-5c97105e05c8?format=auto&w=100&s=e328270817fbf3e758cc5fcde4e620d93887f2bf 100w, https://akamai.vgc.no/v2/images/2443aa82-effa-4611-8d0e-5c97105e05c8?format=auto&w=200&s=28a95bb1ba87e7a452c589591e71dd4cf57b60bb 200w, https://akamai.vgc.no/v2/images/2443aa82-effa-4611-8d0e-5c97105e05c8?format=auto&w=240&s=a7b0e82917849b208325e6aa807419025bbd41a6 240w, https://akamai.vgc.no/v2/images/2443aa82-effa-4611-8d0e-5c97105e05c8?format=auto&w=480&s=09e981a21956a391e0c3c6786080f125e30770c6 480w, https://akamai.vgc.no/v2/images/2443aa82-effa-4611-8d0e-5c97105e05c8?format=auto&w=580&s=c572fa245571898b45ac1a9e5399dfb0f4ebabcf 580w, https://akamai.vgc.no/v2/images/2443aa82-effa-4611-8d0e-5c97105e05c8?format=auto&w=720&s=e1fc47e222d545c032ecb17266617888f0ede087 720w, https://akamai.vgc.no/v2Casper Ruud lost in two straight sets against Jannik Sinner Saturday evening. Photo: Antonio Calanni / AP / NTB
Jannik Sinner has had an incredible season and recorded his 66th win of 2024 on Saturday. Three of his six losses have come against Carlos Alcaraz.
This was only the third meeting between Sinner and Ruud. It was three years since their last encounter. The Italian has won them all.
– I feel that my returns were very good today, Sinner said in an interview broadcast on TV 2.
After a tricky autumn, Casper Ruud has greatly impressed during the season finale for the top eight in the world in Turin.
– He has been the best all year, but lost to Alcaraz. The two have been the big guns this year, says Ruud about Jannik Sinner, who has won both the Australian Open and the US Open. Money is pouring in. If Sinner wins at home in Turin, he will have earned 10 million euros – nearly 117 million kroner – in just 29 days. A final victory in Turin gives about 24 million kroner.
Ruud has also had a lucrative trip to Turin. He will take home just over 12 million kroner.
Novak Djokovic has won the last two ATP Finals. He had to throw in the towel due to injury this year.
What are Jannik Sinner’s key achievements in 2023?
His wins have come against Casper Ruud, further emphasizing his dominant performance this year. With a remarkable 49 out of 52 sets won on hardcourt, Sinner has positioned himself as a formidable force in the tennis world.
As Sinner prepares for the final of the ATP Finals in his home city of Turin, he faces American Taylor Fritz, who has also been in excellent form. This final marks a significant milestone for Sinner, showcasing his growth and persistence on the ATP Tour.
Ruud’s journey to the semifinals, despite falling short against Sinner, demonstrates his consistency and skill. He has reached the semifinals of the ATP Finals three times, a feat just a handful of players have achieved, reinforcing his status among the elite in men’s tennis. While Ruud expressed admiration for Sinner’s level of play, citing his own need to learn and adapt, he remains a competitive player to watch in future tournaments.