Casper Ruud (4) was the highest ranked player remaining in the National Bank Open in Montreal. This title now goes to Hubert Hurkacz (8) who disposed of the Norwegian in three sets of 5-7, 6-3 and 6-2.
Posted at 5:21 p.m.
Hurkacz was on cloud nine after beating Nick Kyrgios on Friday. In a duel that was not as close as expected.
The Pole had an appointment with Casper Ruud, Saturday, on the center court of the IGA Stadium, during the first semi-final of the day. The match had started well for the big server. He took a 3-0 lead on a service break in the second game of the set. However, the quality of his shots declined during the round and his strategies left something to be desired. In particular, he had some difficulties at the net. So much so that Ruud, finalist at the last Roland-Garros tournament, spun with the first round by catching up.
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
Casper Ruud
The second run, however, was Hurkacz’s affair. He was efficient on serve and his net runs were more profitable. Although he was broken in the first game, the rest of the inning was his business.
Same thing in the third set where he left his opponent no chance. He made very few mistakes and Ruud looked overwhelmed and running out of solutions in the face of the 25-year-old’s attacks.
Hurkacz will have an appointment in the final with the winner of the duel between Pablo Carreno Busta and Daniel Evans.