Andrey Rublev and Casper Ruud, seeds N.1 and 2, qualified for the final of the ATP 250 tournament on clay in Bastad on Saturday. Manhandled by defending champion Francisco Cerundolo, Rublev (7th in the world) finally won (7-6, 6-7, 6-3). After winning the first set in the tie-break (8-6), the Russian bowed by the same score in the decisive game of the second set.
In the last set, Rublev broke away more easily by taking his opponent’s serve twice. He got three match points at 5-3, Cerundolo service and finally won from the second.
He will face Casper Ruud on Sunday. The world No.4 and finalist at Roland Garros won in two sets (6-3, 7-5) against the young Italian Lorenzo Musetti. Rublev has won four of his six encounters against Casper Ruud, but the Norwegian has dominated the Russian in their last two head-to-head matches. Last November, Ruud won the semi-final of the Masters in Turin (6-2, 6-4).