Sinner-Ruud Blockbuster Set In Vienna
Jannik Sinner and Casper Ruud on Thursday set a blockbuster quarter-final at the Erste Bank Open with massive implications on the FedEx ATP Race To Turin.
If Sinner defeats Ruud, he will pass Hubert Hurkacz to hold the final qualifying spot for the Nitto ATP Finals and pull within 90 points of Ruud for seventh place. If the Norwegian wins, he will further solidify his standing as he pursues a maiden trip to the season finale.
[FOLLOW ACTION]Sinner advanced to the last eight with a 6-4, 6-2 victory against wild card Dennis Novak. The Italian saved all six break points he won to triumph after one hour and 16 minutes.
The 2019 Intesa Sanpaolo Next Gen ATP Finals champion has won 10 consecutive indoor matches — including titles in Sofia and Antwerp — and not lost a set in any of them. He has won both his matches in Vienna by identical 6-4, 6-2 margins.
Photo Credit: Bildagentur Zolles
His next opponent, Ruud, had to battle hard to move past Italian Lorenzo Sonego 7-5, 4-6, 6-4 in two hours and 42 minutes. The 22-year-old, once known for his clay-court play, has improved on hard courts, lifting his first trophy on the surface in San Diego.
In the Norwegian’s first appearance in Vienna last year, Ruud lost against Sinner. That was their only previous ATP Head2Head meeting.