Goffin downs Ruud in sudden death to make UTS Guadalajara final

David “The Wall” Goffin beat Casper “The Ice Man” Ruud in the semi-finals of UTS Guadalajara, prevailing 11-15, 18-12, 7-21, 17-13, 2-1 in Guadalajara on Sunday.

The victory was Goffin’s second sudden death win in a row, having scraped his way into the Final Four with a come-from-behind victory over Flavio Cobolli yesterday.

“It was a tough match, another sudden death,” Goffin said after the match. “I just had to stick to the plan, take the ball early, otherwise he’s too good here in these conditions.

“I felt the nerves. But, in this case, it’s good nerves. Good nerves that make you feel brave to go. It worked, so really happy.”

Playing in hot, sunny conditions in Guadalajara, both players were full of errors to begin the match.

However, Norway’s Ruud – the most experienced UTS player at the event – was the first to rein in his game, winning his 10th consecutive quarter to get on the board first.

Goffin hit back well though, claiming the second quarter before being thrashed 21-7 in the third.

“I didn’t feel very good. From 6-6, 7-7, I began to hit it better,” Ruud explained of his strong performance in the third.

But again, The Wall bounced back, winning the fourth and forcing sudden death.

After The Ice Man won the opening point of sudden death, Goffin was forced to defend match point, winning two in a row to book his place in the final of UTS Guadalajara.

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Goffin beats Cobolli in sudden death to decide last semi-final spot at UTS Guadalajara

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