(Turin) Rafael Nadal will not leave the ATP Finals without having savored the slightest victory, since he took the measure of Casper Ruud 7-5, 7-5 Thursday in the group stage of the prestigious tournament which brings together the eight best players in the world.
Nadal, the favorite of the competition, defeated Ruud after an hour and 42 minutes on the main court of the Pala Alpitour in Turin. He thus increased his record in the tournament to 1-2, which will however not be enough to allow him to reach the semi-finals.
‘Rafa’, 36, also improved his career record to 2-0 against No. 3 seed Ruud. He had defeated him for the first time in the French Open final earlier this summer.
Despite the result, Ruud is already guaranteed a place in the next round by virtue of his 2-1 record.
PHOTO MARCO BERTORELLO, FRANCE-PRESSE AGENCY
Casper Ruud and Rafael Nadal
Unlike his last game against Félix Auger-Aliassime, when he was rough in several facets of his game, the Spaniard played with aplomb against Ruud. His first serve was particularly effective, and his downfield game was tight enough to give Ruud a hard time.
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Nadal also dominated the aces column 16-4 against the 23-year-old Norwegian, as well as the winners 38-19. The holder of 22 career Grand Slam titles also converted two of his three break points against him. For his part, Ruud was unable to steal Nadal’s serve on two occasions.
Auger-Aliassime (1-1), the tournament’s fifth seed, will face eighth-seeded American Taylor Fritz (1-1) in the other match in the Green group today. This duel will put at stake the last pass available for the semi-finals.
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