Madrid: Casper Ruud increases his pace, downs Taylor Fritz
In the previous 12 months, Casper Ruud had a poor run at a Masters 1000 level. The Norwegian has raised his level in Madrid, beating three rivals and reaching his first Masters 1000 quarter-final in over a year.
Casper faced Taylor Fritz in the fourth round and earned a 7-5, 6-4 victory in an hour and 36 minutes, notching his 17th top-10 victory and arranging the quarter-final clash with Daniil Medvedev. Ruud lost the advantage in the opening set before providing a late break.
The Norwegian secured a break in the middle of the second set and emerged at the top. Thus, he earned a notable win, the first of the season.
En 1/8e du Masters 1000 de Madrid, Casper s’offre Taylor Fritz et remporte la 17e victoire de sa carrière contre un membre du Top 10. ????????????
Choc à venir contre Daniil Medvedev. ????
— Avantage Tennis ???? (@AvantageTennis_) April 29, 2025
Casper tamed his strokes nicely and landed 27 winners and 22 unforced errors. Taylor fought well but ended on a 19-28 ratio. The American landed five service winners more than his rival and stayed in touch at the net. However, Ruud forged a 47-34 advantage from the baseline.
Taylor built a slim advantage in the shortest rallies up to four strokes, and Casper erased the deficit in the mid-range and most extended ones. They served well in the opening six games, and Casper held after a deuce for 3-3 in 22 minutes.
Casper Ruud, Madrid 2025© Stream screenshot
Fritz missed a routine forehand in the seventh game and faced a break point. Ruud attacked with his backhand and landed a forehand down the line winner for a break. The Norwegian held in game eight and served for the opener at 5-4.
The American denied a set point with a winner at the net and pulled the break back with a forced error. Ruud kept his composure and landed a smash winner in the 11th game for three break chances. He used an open court on the last, landing a forehand winner and moving in front.
Taylor Fritz, Madrid 2025© Stream screenshot
Casper served for the set at 6-5 and hit a volley winner for a set point. He landed a service winner to wrap up the opener in 51 minutes. Ruud saved two break points in the second game of the second set and missed a break point in the next one.
The Norwegian held at love in the fourth game and stepped in on the return in the next one. Casper fired a forehand winner for break chances and caused Taylor's mistake on the second to provide a set and a break advantage.
Taylor Fritz & Casper Ruud, Madrid 2025© Stream screenshot
Ruud closed the sixth game with a forehand winner and cemented the lead. He held at love in game eight with a lucky net cord winner and moved 5-3 ahead. Fritz painted an ace in game nine, bringing it home and extending the duel.
Casper served for the win at 5-4 and held at love after Taylor's backhand mistake, sealing the deal and reaching his first Masters 1000 quarter-final in over a year.
