The tournament win was Ruud’s second of the season. In May, he defeated Joao Sousa of Portugal in the final of the ATP 250 tournament in Geneva, also located in Switzerland. There he also defended the title from 2021.

Ruud had not lost a set in the three games before the final, but he lost the first set on Sunday. Nevertheless, he fought back expertly and won the match 4-6, 7-6 (7-4), 6-2.

– I changed a little in the third set. The points here go fast, so holding my own serve and keeping balls at rest is key. “I tried to keep the momentum going and I played better and better in the third set,” Ruud told organisers.

– The Swiss audience helped me a lot. Switzerland is a country with a lot of tennis history with Roger (Federer) and Stan (Wawrinka) and they have been an inspiration to many people around the world. Everything is well organized here and the weather is always very nice, continued the Norwegian.

Ruud now has three wins against Berrettini, while he has lost on two occasions.

Next up for Ruud is the ATP 250 tournament in Kitzbühel next week. There, the Norwegian once again defended the title.

Controversial

Berrettini has struggled with injuries for most of the season, but Italy have found their way back to good form in recent weeks and enter the Gstaad tournament as seeded 2nd behind Ruud.

In the Norwegian’s third service game, he had a problem and was broken after Berrettini had two break points. Ruud clearly showed discontent along the way.

In the next game, Ruud broke the Italian’s serve after the Norwegian’s shot was disallowed and Berrettini played on. Nevertheless, the referee came back and gave Berrettini the point and a second chance to save the game, which he did. Ruud had a long discussion with the referee afterwards.

Berrettini then served in the set.

In set number two, Berrettini got two break points in Ruud’s second service game, but the Norwegian saved herself. Ruud fought hard to put Berrettini in a big test in the Italian’s serve game.

Decision

The two champions were evenly matched, with they both had good control of their own serve play at times, but it was Berrettini who came closest to breaking.

In the end, the set had to be decided via a tiebreak, with Ruud clearly being the best and winning 7-4.

Ruud made a fine opening in the third set by breaking the Italian’s second and third game serve. Ruud proves to be strong and puts Berrettini on an even bigger test than previously seen. In the end, he was unable to fight back and had to defend two quick serves.

It will be decisive, as Ruud held his own serve for the remainder of the game and could celebrate the win.