UPDATED: Jun 10, 2023 01:22 IST
By India Today Sports Desk: 24-year-old Casper Ruud came up with a dominant performance against former World No. 2 Alexander Zverev in the men’s singles semi-final of the French Open 2023 on Friday. Ruud defeated Zverev 6-3, 6-4, 6-0 in just 2 hours and 3 minutes to storm into his second successive Roland Garros final.
Casper Ruud will face Novak Djokovic in the final of the French Open 2023 on Sunday. The Serb defeated World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz in 4 sets in a dramatic semi-final that saw the 20-year-old Spaniard lose steam in the 3rd and 4th set due to intense cramps.
Ruud, who had flown under the radar despite reaching the final last year, looked dominant from the word go against Zverev, who looked deflated on the big stage. In the final set, Zverev was looking clueless as Ruud’s forehand winners were firing down the line and across the court.
Ruud broke Zverev 6 times while the German converted only one of the 9 opportunities that came his way in a disappointing show. The Paris crowd tried its best to cheer up Zverev in a bid to watch a longer match but all its efforts went in vain as the Norwegian looked sharp and closed out the match in straight sets.
Ruud had faced Rafael Nadal in the final of Roland Garros last year and lost it, which ensured the Spaniard took his Grand Slam tally to a record-extending 22. At the Chatrier on Sunday, Ruud will face Djokovic, who is bidding to become the most successful men’s singles player as he is in pursuit of a 23rd Grand Slam.
‘READY TO BE UNDERDOG AGAIN’
Casper Ruud said he is ready to be the underdog once again and give his best against Novak Djokovic in the final.
“It’s going to be tough, last year was against Rafa this year against Djokovic. Two of the toughest players. It will be tough, Novak is playing to be the greatest player. He is going for his 23rd, I’m going for my first,” Ruud said.
However, it was Ruud’s day on Friday at the Philippe-Chatrier as he proved once again why he is one of the most consistent players on the circuit. Ruud has reached 3 finals in his last 5 Grand Slam appearances. He lost to Carlos Alcaraz in the US Open final last year after finishing second best in Paris.
