Inside Casper Ruud’s shocking game plan to topple Jannik Sinner in Rome

Rain postponed Sinner vs. Medvedev, with Ruud waiting in the Italian Open Final

Casper Ruud will have to wait to find out who he will face in the Italian Open final, with a rain delay postponing the match between Jannik Sinner and Daniil Medvedev. However, with the former, a break-up in the deciding third set, it’s fair to begin assuming that it will be him.

What makes it even more likely that the 24-year-old will progress is the fact that this break, enforced due to yet another downpour in Rome, came as he seemed to be struggling physically during the match.

Daniil Medvedev voiced his frustration to the umpire after Sinner took a medical time-out for what appeared to be cramps before vomiting on court.

Ruud might understandably be wary of facing one of the hottest players on tour right now, but given Sinner’s condition, anything feels possible.

Casper Ruud discusses potential Italian Open final clash with Jannik Sinner

Ruud spoke to reporters after his straightforward semi-final victory over Luciano Darderi, and was asked about the prospect of facing Jannik Sinner before his match had even concluded.

The question came after Sinner had taken the opening set comfortably.

Ruud was careful not to look too far ahead, but he did say: “Well, I just have to try to approach it as any other match, try not to think about the big wave in front kind of with all the momentum he’s building, all the confidence and the records that he’s kind of building and breaking.

“At the end of the day he’s human. I have to try to think that way as much as I can. Last year I was kind of blown out of the court by him. We will both remember it, of course. I hope that’s not the case.

“I will just try to stay in my lane, stay focused on the things I’m doing well, know that against him you have to not raise your level but two or three times in order to hang with him. That’s the goal I will think about for tomorrow in practice and the match.”

There are reasons for Ruud’s team to feel encouraged, too — especially after his recent achievement — something neither Sinner nor Carlos Alcaraz has managed yet.

Casper Ruud’s head-to-head record vs Jannik Sinner

Sinner has been a tough opponent for Ruud, and he hasn’t had much success against him in the past. In fact, his struggles have arguably been worse than most others.

He has played the world number one four times and lost every match. A potential Italian Open final would pit Ruud against an opponent he’s never beaten.

Even more worrying is that their last meeting was in this very tournament a year ago.

Sinner, fresh off a return to tennis at the time, dominated 6-1, 6-0 on clay. For Ruud to change that narrative this time around, he’ll need to deliver something remarkable.

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