Ruud has shown budding form on the hard court after winning three tournaments in a row at the end of the gravel season, but against Zverev it was a humiliating loss in straight sets. The German won 6-1, 6-3.
The German is ranked number five in the world, while Ruud is in eleventh place. On Friday, there was a clear class difference between the two.
– It was one of the best opponents I have played against this year. He starts in 100 and ends in 100. These days he is almost unbeatable. He has not relaxed since the Olympic gold, Ruud told NTB after the match.
The settlement in Cincinnati is the first time the two have met. Ruud came out crooked from the start and was totally outplayed in the first set, but rose somewhat in the second. Yet it ended in a humiliating loss.
– Perfect charge for the US Open
– It was impressive on his part. I’m not really getting started with my game, and that’s because of his performance, Ruud said.
Hardcourt is not Ruud’s favorite surface, but he has recently shown that he is getting better there as well. Until a week ago, he had never reached a Masters quarterfinal on hardcourt. Now he has two in a row.
The tournament in Ohio was Ruud’s last before the US Open, which is this year’s last Grand Slam competition. The Norwegian’s good hardcourt form means that he can probably fight for a place among the top ten in the world this autumn.
– I think it has been two good weeks. I would not have minded two quarterfinals if you had given it to me in advance. It has been a perfect charge for the US Open, which is obviously the biggest goal here, said Ruud.
“I will do it I can to be ready and deliver good tennis in New York,” said the Norwegian.
First stitch before Ruud was warm in the jersey
Zverev took the first stab already in the first game, when he broke Ruud’s serve, ie took points in a game where Ruud served. The German was very strong in the return game, and surprised Ruud before he had played really hot. Zverev delivered on the first breakball.
When the German delivered a strong serve game in the next shot, and then broke Ruud’s serve once again, it seemed to be an insurmountable task for the Norwegian. Ruud seemed to be affected by the class difference and made several unpressurized mistakes.
Ruud got his first point of the match when Zverev also made a mistake so that Ruud could reduce to 1-4. In the next game, Zverev showed class again when he served himself to a clean serve game before Ruud managed to sum up. Zverev spent 1 minute and 14 seconds going up 5-1. In the next game, Zverev took the set winner 6-1.
In total, he spent 25 minutes sweeping Ruud off the field in the first set.
Ruud rose – but not enough
The second set started with Ruud getting a little hope when he broke Zverev’s serve in the first attempt, and followed up with a smart game in his serve game and was able to go up 2-0. Ruud rose sharply and it was an even set, but when Zverev broke to 3-3 he had equalized Ruud’s advantage.
Especially Zverev’s direct cross winners with the forehand helped the German keep Ruud in check in the second set.
When Zverev broke to 5-3, he was able to serve the victory home. The German delivered a match at such a high level that he can now be considered a possible favorite in the US Open. The match against Ruud was over in 59 minutes, and Ruud could only smile after the decision, knowing that he was never properly involved in the match.
(©NTB)
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