Casper Ruud is through to the final of the ATP Dallas Open after a thrilling three-set victory over Spain’s Jaume Munar on Saturday. The world number five triumphed 6-2, 2-6, 7-6 (7/4) to reach his first ATP final of the year.
Casper Ruud vs Jaume Munar: A tense battle to the finish
Ruud, who is aiming for his 13th career ATP title, endured a challenging match against Munar, who proved to be a tough competitor. After dominating the first set 6-2, the Norwegian appeared on track for a smooth victory. However, Munar bounced back in the second set, leveling the match with a commanding 6-2 win of his own.
The final set proved to be a nail-biting affair. Munar had the opportunity to serve for the match in the 10th game but Ruud showcased his resilience, breaking back to level at 5-5. The two players then went head-to-head in a thrilling tie-breaker.
Tie-break thriller seals Casper Ruud’s victory
In the decisive tie-breaker, Ruud took control with a stunning backhand down the line to lead 4-2. A key moment came when Munar mishit a backhand volley, allowing Ruud to extend his advantage to 5-3. Ruud sealed the win with a powerful overhead smash, bringing the score to 6-3. Munar’s forehand error two points later handed Ruud the victory after two and a half hours of intense play.
This win marks Ruud’s fourth career victory over Munar, who now trails 1-4 in their all-time head-to-head record.
Casper Ruud aims for third consecutive title
Ruud will now look to claim his third consecutive ATP title, having won in Barcelona and Geneva last year. He will face the winner of the later semi-final between third-seeded defending champion Tommy Paul and Canada’s Denis Shapovalov.
Paul and Shapovalov compete for final spot
Tommy Paul, ranked ninth in the world, is aiming for his eighth ATP final and a fifth tour title after successful campaigns at Queen's and Stockholm in 2023. Shapovalov, on the other hand, is seeking his eighth ATP final and third ATP title, following his wins at the 2019 Stockholm Open and the Belgrade Open in November.
With both Ruud and his potential final opponents in top form, Sunday’s final promises to be an exciting contest. Ruud is poised to continue his dominance in the ATP circuit, while Paul or Shapovalov will look to halt his title run.