Casper Ruud edges Francisco Cerundolo to reach the final

Casper Ruud is into the final of the Madrid Open 2025 tennis tournament, with a straight-sets (6-4, 7-5) victory over Francisco Cerundolo in the men's singles semi-finals on Friday (2 May).

Cerundolo started the semi-final strongly, though Ruud fought back to win the first game, in what set the precedent for a back-and-forth affair on the clay.

At 4-4, it was the Norwegian who got a foothold in the clash, winning the next two games, clinching the set.

The second set consisted of a 15-minute fifth game that Ruud fought to win, saving seven break points to edge ahead. His Argentine counterpart, however, continued his fine form to turn the tide in his favour, winning the next two games in the immediate aftermath.

Such was the nature of this battle, Cerundolo found himself pegged back once again following a masterclass from Ruud, who landed some sublime volleys in the ninth game to reach the brink of a finale appearance at 5-4. It wasn't that straightforward, however.

The 26-year-old conceded another game but, as he had done before, brought himself back from the edge of defeat to ultimately take the second set 7-5.

Ruud is set to face either Great Britain's Jack Draper or Italy's Lorenzo Musetti in the final. The pair face off in the second semi-final of the day at 20:00 CEST.

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