Casper Ruud revels in 'fantastic' day after completing Geneva Open hat-trick, Danielle Collins beaten in Strasbourg
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Published 25/05/2024 at 17:42 GMT
Casper Ruud claimed a third title at the Geneva Open and is the most successful player in the history of the event. Tomas Machac was appearing in his first tour final, and succumbed to the Norwegian, who claimed a 34th win this year. Madison Keys won her first title of 2024 after beating Danielle Collins in Strasbourg, while Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard powered past Tomas Martin Etcheverry in Lyon.
Highlights as Ruud warms up for French Open with win over Machac in Geneva Open final
Casper Ruud claimed his third Geneva Open title after playing two matches on Saturday, powering past Flavio Cobolli in the semi-finals before overcoming Tomas Machac in straight sets in the final.
The world No. 7 beat Cobolli 1-6 6-1 7-6(4) in the morning and followed that up with a 7-5 6-3 victory over Novak Djokovic's last-four conqueror, Machac, in the afternoon.
“It was a challenging week," said Ruud in quotes published by atp.com. "All the matches are tough, no matter who you play. Tough to find a groove. The weather has been a bit challenging all week but today was fantastic.
"I feel very happy to win again here in Geneva. It’s been a very good season so far.”
The Norwegian was on the ropes after Cobolli took the first set in a mere 27 minutes, breaking Ruud twice in the process.
Ruud provided an emphatic response in the second set, winning it by the same score to take a gripping last-four encounter into a decider.
It looked like a big shock was on the cards when Cobolli raced to a first match point at 5-4 in front, but Ruud took a crucial hold as a nerve-shredding tie-break beckoned.
He held his nerve and eventually prevailed after a fourth match point and booked his showdown with Machac.
The final was more straightforward for the 25-year-old after recovering from 5-4 down in the opening set and swatting away a Machac set point to prevail 7-5 following 58 minutes of play.
Ruud was then dominant in the second set, taking an early break to go into a 3-0 lead and winning the championship after a first match point.
Reflecting on the final, Ruud paid tribute to Machac for pushing him hard in the opening set and added: “He definitely deserved to win the first set, but that’s tennis sometimes. It’s not always fair."
Keys claims first title of 2024 with win over Collins
Madison Keys won her first title of 2024 with a comprehensive 6-1 6-2 victory over fellow American Danielle Collins in the Strasbourg Open final.
Collins had been victorious in 22 of her previous 24 matches, but never recovered from a sobering first set as she surrendered her serve three times.
Keys moved a set and a break up at 2-0 in the second set, before Collins sparked hope of a comeback to break back at 3-2 down.
The world No. 12 could not follow that up with a hold though, and despite an admirable show of resilience in the eighth and final game, Keys emerged victorious on her fifth match point.
Perricard stuns Etcheverry to win first title
Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard secured his first ATP Tour title with a 6-4 1-6 7-6(7) win over sixth seed Tomas Martin Etcheverry in Lyon.
The 20-year-old came out on top after a gruelling tie-break in the third set where he recovered from championship point down to win the tournament hosted in his home town.
“It was crazy, a very good final,” said Perricard in quotes published by atp.com.
“I was down in the second set, but I managed to do better. I’m very happy to win this tournament and I now have a lot of confidence for Roland-Garros.”
When asked about the deciding tie-break, he added: “Everything [was happening].
“I was thinking about many, many things. When I missed the volley at 5-4, it was difficult for me, but I saved one match point, and I’m very happy to win.”
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