Two-time champ Ruud reaches Geneva SFs

Casper Ruud continued his quest for a third title at the Gonet Geneva Open on Thursday when he overcame Sebastian Baez 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 to reach the semi-finals.

Second seed Ruud, who won the Geneva trophy in 2021 and 2022, navigated through a tricky end to survive the two-hour, three-minute match. The Norwegian was broken to love when he served for the match at 5-3 in the decider. In the next game, Ruud’s forehand clipped the net cord at 30/30 and barely rolled over, setting up his first match point. Baez then double faulted for the second time in the match, sending Ruud through to the last four.

“It was a very close match in the end, back-and-forth, back-and-forth,” said Ruud, who won 65 per cent of his second-serve return points, according to Infosys ATP Stats. “Very happy to be through. Back in the semi-finals here in Geneva is a great feeling.”

Now 3-0 in his Lexus ATP Head2Head series with the Argentine, Ruud will next meet Flavio Cobolli for the first time. The Italian advanced after beating Alexander Shevchenko 6-4, 6-4.

Ruud, No. 7 in the PIF ATP Rankings, leads the ATP Tour with 33 wins this season. Boasting an 11-1 record in Geneva, the 25-year-old is aiming to become the first three-time champion in tournament history.