Rublev Downs Ruud For Bastad Trophy

Andrey Rublev captured his second tour-level title of the season on Sunday when he overcame top seed Casper Ruud 7-6(3), 6-0 in the Nordea Open final.

The second seed, who dropped just one set en route to the title, played with explosive power against Ruud, striking the ball cleanly off both wings throughout the one-hour, 33-minute clash. The 25-year-old won 80 per cent (36/45) of his first-serve points, raising his arms in delight after sealing victory on his first match point.

“It is always great to win a title,” Rublev said. “At the end of the day, we have to lose almost every week, so this is one of two titles this year. It is a special feeling and the final was played in tough conditions, but I was lucky to have them.

“Casper hits with spin a lot, to play high and with this weather the ball did not really jump high and I think it helped me a bit. On top of that I played really well today.”

With his 18th tour-level clay-court win of the season, Rublev improved to 5-2 in his Lexus ATP Head2Head series against Ruud. Rublev has now won all four of the pair’s meetings on clay courts.

The 25-year-old Rublev is up three spots to fourth in the Pepperstone ATP Live Race To Turin following his title run. He is aiming to make his fourth appearance at the Nitto ATP Finals at the end of the season.

Earlier this year Rublev clinched the biggest trophy of his career when he triumphed at the ATP Masters 1000 event in Monte-Carlo. He has now won 14 tour-level crowns.

Ruud was chasing his 11th tour-level trophy and second in Bastad, having won the title in 2021.