ATP Finals: Ruud surprises himself by reaching summit conflict towards Djokovic

Norway’s Casper Ruud stated he was not anticipating to succeed in yet one more remaining in 2022 after beating Andrey Rublev in straight units to e book his place in Sunday’s showpiece on the ATP Finals in Turin.

Ruud confidently swatted apart an error-prone Rublev 6-2, 6-4 on Saturday to arrange a conflict towards Novak Djokovic.

The 23-year-old has had an amazing yr – reaching his first Masters 1000 remaining within the Miami Open, earlier than making it to the finals of the French Open and US Open – and will probably be seeking to cap it off with victory on the season-ending championship.

“I feel I stunned myself for positive,” Ruud instructed reporters.

“It was a troublesome begin of the yr for me as a result of I twisted my ankle in Australia the day earlier than my match within the Australian Open, so I needed to pull out. I suppose after I was on the airplane again house, I didn’t assume I’d be sitting right here on this place.

“I feel when the draw was made right here, I suppose I used to be the least favorite to succeed in the ultimate, in comparison with all the opposite nice gamers who I think about are perhaps higher arduous courtroom indoor gamers than myself.”

Djokovic is within the operating to win a record-equalling sixth ATP Finals title on Sunday, and Ruud, who’s 0-3 in head-to-head battles towards the Serb, heaped reward on his opponent forward of their assembly.

“Novak, in a remaining on an indoor arduous courtroom right here, is likely one of the hardest gamers you possibly can play within the historical past of our sport,” Ruud stated.

“I do know that I might want to give you one thing I’ve not accomplished but towards him as a result of I haven’t been capable of beat him. Simply attempt to consider that I can win. It’s not going to be simple, clearly, however I’ll give it a shot, my finest shot.”