Ruud into first UTS final, defeats Rublev at Bastide Médical UTS Nîmes
Casper Ruud beat Andrey Rublev, 14-11, 17-8, 13-15, 12-18, 3-2
Casper Ruud (Tennis Majors)
Casper “The Ice Man” Ruud is into the final of Bastide Médical UTS Nîmes 2025 – defeating two-time UTS champion Andrey “Rublo” Rublev in sudden death, 14-11, 17-8, 13-15, 12-18, 3-2.
He will face Tomas “The Air Machete” Machac for the Zeus trophy later on Saturday.
“It was incredible, a crazy match, some great rallies,” said Ruud afterwards, who was quick to urge the crowd to applaud his opponent. “In the end, I’m just happy to be through!”
“We were completely equal. I had match points. He had match points. Today was his day,” said Rublev.
Ruud had not yet dropped a quarter in the tournament this week, and his excellent serving against Rublo steered him to a 2-0 lead and looking as if he was on the brink of his first-ever UTS final.
Then Rublev made a sensational start to the third quarter, just reminding The Ice Man of his ability in the format as he raced to a 5-0 lead.
But Ruud played his third bonus card of the match in style, winning the point to close the gap to one point with two minutes remaining.
And the quarter ended in controversy as Rublev was not ready to receive Ruud’s serve within the mandatory five seconds – and the Ice Man got the point while Rublo’s back was turned. (Ruud described it as “a bit of a dirty play” between quarters.)
There was one point in it – 14-13 in Rublo’s favour – as the clock ticked down to zero on Rublev’s serve.
And he kept himself in the match with a brilliant backhand.
“I trust my player!” said a relaxed-looking Marat Safin, Rublo’s new coach.
Rublev repaid that trust in spades as he seized the momentum to wrap up the fourth quarter and force a sudden-death decider, which was full of drama as each man exchanged and saved match points.
But Ruud finally got it done, and even Rublo had to crack a smile.
