Rafael Nadal and Casper Ruud reach Nordea Open semi-finals after saving match point in 'special' win
Updated 17/07/2024 at 19:43 GMT+1
The pair branded 'Ruudal', Rafael Nadal and Casper Ruud, advanced to the semi-finals at the Nordea Open in Sweden after a "special doubles" win for the duo. A 6-4 3-6 12-10 win saw them survive a match point against Theo Arribage and Roman Safiullin. Ruud had lost in singles action earlier in the day but was able to end the day on a positive note as he completed an emotional win with the Spaniard.
‘I have Fedal and now Ruudal!’ - Nadal laughs about new nickname with Ruud
Video credit: SNTV
Rafael Nadal and Casper Ruud, dubbed ‘Ruudal’ by fans, survived a dramatic quarter-final match on Wednesday to survive in the doubles action at the Nordea Open.
Nadal and Ruud beat Theo Arribage and Roman Safiullin 6-4 3-6 12-10, surviving one match point to advance to the semi-finals in Bastad.
"I think we had some fun," Nadal said. "It has been an emotional match at the end, a good level of tennis against two good players. We enjoy it and the crowd was amazing, a full crowd in a doubles match, that's fantastic. Just enjoying every single day here."
This hard-fought win came just hours after Ruud had lost in singles action earlier that day.
"When you cannot win singles you have to try to win doubles," joked Ruud, who lost his opening singles match 6-3 6-3 to Thiago Monteiro on Wednesday. "It was not the best beginning of the day but a very nice way to finish the day for me.
"Winning alongside Rafa was a special doubles today. We saved a match point so a bit lucky, and we look forward to the next match."
Nadal is also competing in the singles in Bastad and played his first match in over seven weeks on Tuesday, overcoming Leo Borg, son of Bjorn, in a 6-3 6-3.
The match was the Spaniard’s first singles action since an incredibly painful first-round exit in Paris at the French Open - Nadal’s beloved Grand Slam.
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After beating second seeds Guido Andreozzi and Miguel Reyes-Varela 6-1 6-4 in the first round, 'Ruudal' may end up facing third-seeded and formidable duo Orland Luz and Rafael Matos in the semis.
When asked about their lovable team nickname, Nadal approved: "I have Fedal, and now Ruudal... so both!" he said with a laugh.
Nadal will also join up with fellow Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz at the Paris Olympics later this month.
discovery+ is the streaming home of the Olympic Games, and the only place you can watch every moment of Paris 2024 this summer
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