Ruud hopes for a copy of Roma: – Gives good memories of being here
Casper Ruud had a big improvement at the Masters tournament in Rome last year. Today, the Norwegian is chasing the semifinals for the third year in a row and is in great shape heading into Roland-Garros.
Ruud meets Argentinian Francisco Cerundolo (seeded 24) on clay in the Italian capital this evening. Ruud has been playing well going into the quarter-finals and hopes that continues on Norway’s national day.
He had reached the semifinals twice before at the Rome tournament. Both times he lost to big star Novak Djokovic.
– I have confidence that I can do well. “Confidence is not yet at its peak, but I have been playing very well,” Ruud told NTB after the win over Serb Laslo Djere on Tuesday.
– I have to build on the good form I have now, he continued.
Last year was a major step up for the Norwegian with two Grand Slam finals and a final in the ATP playoffs. It started with a good tournament in the Italian capital.
– I was in a somewhat similar situation last year. I didn’t do well on clay before this tournament, which I did and made it to the semifinals. It was the first week in a month where things were going really well for me. Coming back here brings great memories, said Ruud. (NTB)
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