Jannik Sinner storms into Italian Open semi-finals with dominant straight-sets win over Casper Ruud - 'Everything worked well'
Updated 15/05/2025 at 22:48 GMT+1
Another title is within reach for world No. 1 Jannik Sinner, who eased past Casper Ruud in his Italian Open quarter-final. Sinner could still face Carlos Alcaraz in the final, with the Spaniard up against Lorenzo Musetti in the other last-four match. After dropping just one game in his victory over Ruud, Sinner said his performance was "a very positive sign" with the French Open on the horizon.
Jannik Sinner
Image credit: Getty Images
Jannik Sinner said everything went to plan as he cruised into the Italian Open semi-finals with a 6-0 6-1 victory over Madrid Open winner Casper Ruud.
The victory was a statement of intent from the world No. 1, who will be looking to win the French Open - live on TNT Sports and discovery+ - for the first time when the major begins later this month.
Sinner took just over 64 minutes to dispatch Ruud, who entered the tournament fresh off his impressive final victory over Jack Draper in Madrid.
Asked if his performance could be considered perfect, Sinner said: "It’s tough to say. I was feeling great on the court today. I think we all saw that.
"My goal was to try to understand where my level is at this tournament. It raised day by day, so I’m very happy about that. The result doesn’t really matter, but I felt today was a very positive sign for me.
"Everything can change in one day. It’s not that one performance can tell everything about my shape now, but I’m very happy.
"I think today everything worked very well. I was serving well, also returning well, and moving great on the court. I’m very happy about that and now let’s see what’s coming in the semis."
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Watch: Sinner turns saint to help opponent after nasty fall at Italian Open
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This was Sinner's fourth career victory over Ruud, and he explained his approach to the match.
"Every one of us has one or two opponents where we struggle a little bit more," he added. "I tried to replicate what I did in the past today on a different surface.
"I was hitting the ball very well. These conditions, playing in the night against Casper is a little bit better from my point of view, because he cannot make the ball bounce as much."
Sinner will face American Tommy Paul in the last four, while Alcaraz is up against Lorenzo Musetti in the other semi.
The first set of Sinner's meeting with Ruud set the tone, with the former immediately taking control and breaking his opponent's serve.
Ruud struggled to threaten Sinner's service games, and another break had the Italian 3-0 up and already in a strong position.
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Sinner feels his level is rising ‘day by day’ after dismantling Ruud
Video credit: TNT Sports
He ruthlessly took advantage, denying Ruud any hint of a way back into the set and running away with a 6-0 whitewash.
Not much changed in the second set, with Sinner taking the first two games and playing with a formidable swagger.
Some pride was restored for Ruud as he won his first and only game of the match, holding his serve after staving off two break points.
But normal service was quickly resumed, and Sinner racked up four straight games to secure a remarkably straightforward victory.
Watch and stream the 2025 French Open on TNT Sports and discovery+
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