World number 18 and top seed Alex De Minaur cruised past Casper Ruud 4-1 4-0 4-2 to lock his spot in the semifinals at the Next Gen ATP Finals at the Allianz Cloud in Milan.
The Sydney native player has reached the semifinals unbeaten for the second consecutive edition of the Next Gen Finals in Milan. The Aussie has scored the seventh victory of his career in Milan breaking the record of match victories at this event held by 2017 finalist Andrey Rublev.
Ruud won the opening game of the match, but De Minaur reeled off nine consecutive games with breaks in the third and fifth games of the first set and in the second and fourth games of the second set.
Ruud saved two break points in the fourth game of the third set, but De Minaur broke serve in the sixth game with a backhand winner on the match point to close out the third set 4-2.
De Minaur achieved three titles in his home city Sydney, Atlanta and Zhuhai and finished runner-up to Roger Federer in Basel.
“I knew from playing Casper before that he would dictate any short ball without a purpose. The game plan was to play on my own terms, play aggressively, play different styles of tennis. The goal I had was to take any half-chance, go up and back myself at the net. I am gladi t worked out today. I am looking forward to the semifinals”, said De Minaur.
De Minaur has enjoyed the format of the Milan tournament so far.
The Next Gen Finals have been an oportunity to know the other players better and have new friends on the circuit.
“I don’t think I have ever had much to do with Jannik Sinner. After this week, I have been able to hit with him, and things like this that otherwise probably don’t happen in other tournaments. There is a lot of a lot more going on, a lot more players. But here it’s just eight of us. We are bound to get to know each other a bit better, so I enjoy that aspect for sure”, said De Minaur.
