Casper Ruud earned a 6-3, 7-5 straight sets victory over Daniil Medvedev on Thursday to qualify for the Madrid Open semi-final.
The Norwegian converted two of his eight break points to secure a comfortable victory.
He was able to apply pressure on Medvedev’s serve in the first set, breaking in the fourth game and serving it out.
Medvedev made 33 unforced errors, and committed four double faults in the tie.
He was delighted to win the tie while praising Medvedev for his performance.
Ruud said: “Daniil and I, we play a very different game. He [Medvedev] plays much flatter than me, but he serves well and moves great. It was an interesting match and I’m very happy with the level.
“I looked at our stats last night and saw he beat me on grass, outdoor hard and indoor hard. The last surface was clay, so I thought, ‘Please don’t make it 4-0.
“I tried to use the surface to my advantage. I thought the level was pretty good from both players, I was impressed with Daniil’s ability to produce power here on clay.
“I arrived here after a tough defeat in Barcelona and I decided I have to improve mentally here in Madrid. I wanted to give my best in Madrid and now I want to keep going.
“In recent weeks, I’ve lost my tennis a bit, so it’s amazing to have it back again.”
Ruud joins an exclusive club of just three men to win his first seven Masters quarter-finals on clay since the format was introduced in 1990.
He will now compete in his 30th ATP Tour-level semi-final on clay, becoming the first player born in 1990 or later to reach that figure.
He spent 113 consecutive weeks inside the ATP top 10. As a junior, he was ranked world No. 1. In doubles, he has a career-high ranking of world No. 133, achieved after reaching the quarterfinals of the 2021 Wimbledon Championships with André Göransson.
At the Paris Olympics he became the first Norwegian player to reach the quarterfinals stage at the Games, recording his 250th career win over Francisco Cerúndolo.
Ruud will now take on Francisco Cerundolo in the semi-final on Friday.
