Casper Ruud advanced to the Italian Open quarter-finals on Tuesday after comfortably defeating Lorenzo Musetti.
Ruud, who recently dropped to his lowest ranking in five years, wasted little time defeating his Italian opponent 6-3, 6-1 on the Centre Court.
Musetti was clearly hampered by a physical issue during the contest, and Ruud sent a heartfelt message to the Italian after their contest.
Ruud now has the opportunity to advance to a fourth Italian Open semi-final of his career when he plays Russian star Karen Khachanov on Wednesday.
The Norwegian now has a real shot at winning his first Italian Open title, and should be considered the main rival to world number one Jannik Sinner.
When does Jannik Sinner next lose a tennis match? 👀
Casper Ruud represents Jannik Sinner’s main rival for the Italian Open title
Before the start of the Italian Open, few would have chosen Casper Ruud as the second-most likely man to win the Italian Open.
The 27-year-old has struggled to produce his best form in recent months, suffering multiple early exits at high-profile ATP events.
However, the Norwegian has looked at home on the slower clay surface of Rome.
While Musetti was certainly physically hampered, defeating the Italian – an excellent clay-court player – in such commanding fashion demonstrates just how good of a clay-court player Casper Ruud is.
Ruud won 71 per cent of his first and second serve points against Musetti, while also hitting 17 winners and only 14 unforced errors.
He also won 11 of 15 net points and saved both of his opponent’s two break-point opportunities.
| Statistic | Ruud | Musetti |
| Aces | 1 | 2 |
| Double faults | 1 | 3 |
| First serve % | 71 | 71 |
| First serve win % | 71 | 51 |
| Second serve win % | 71 | 47 |
Ruud’s chances of reaching the Italian Open final have also been boosted by Alexander Zverev’s defeat to Luciano Darderi on Thursday.
Zverev, the second seed, squandered a chance to serve for the match, before losing 6-1, 6-7, 0-6 in Rome.
Ruud had been projected to play Zverev in the semi-finals. However, he would now face Darderi or Rafael Jodar, should he qualify for the last four in Rome.
If Ruud were to make the final, he would undoubtedly be the underdog against Sinner; who has not lost to the Norwegian in four previous meetings on the Tour.
However, with the form Ruud is in, could he finally break his duck against the four-time major champion?
Casper Ruud’s record against Karen Khachanov
Casper Ruud can feel confident heading into his upcoming match against Karen Khachanov in Rome.
The three-time major finalist has a 2-1 winning record against the Russian.
Ruud defeated Khachanov in their first match at the 2020 Italian Open, winning 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 in the round of 64.
Two years later, Ruud defeated the Russian in the US Open semi-finals; before going on to lose in the final to Carlos Alcaraz.
In their last match-up at the 2025 Canadian Open, Khachanov secured his first win against the Norwegian.
In the round of 16, Khachanov defeated Ruud 6-4, 7-5.
The 2018 Paris Masters champion went on to reach the final, before losing to Ben Shelton.
