SEVILLE, September 10, 2016

Casper Ruud is the champion of the Copa Sevilla, held at the Real Betis Tenis Club. The only 17-year-old from Norway defeated the tournament’s number three Taro Daniel 6-3, 6-4.

Ruud, who skipped the US Open junior’s championship in order to play his first ATP Challenger event, battled through the qualifying and eventually claimed the title, winning seven matches in eight days. In Saturday’s final, the teenager from Oslo sent down four aces and capitalized on four of his seven break point chances to prevail in one hour and 22 minutes.

“Huge thanks to everyone for all kind feedbacks and messages, it means very much to me! Today was amazing!!!,” Ruud posted on twitter.

Thank u thank u thank u guys!!!! Really I dont know what to say, but I couldn’t be more happy right now, amazing week😄😄😄🎾🎾🇳🇴💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻

— Casper Ruud (@CasperRuud98) 10. September 2016

Ruud has become the only 13th player since 2000 to reach the final in his first Challenger event. Most recent was Stefan Kozlov in Sacramento 2014. He has joined Richard Gasquet and Dmitry Tursonov making it three of the 13, who were able to capture the title.

The youngster is the third winner on the ATP Challenger Tour to hail from Norway, joining father Christian (12 times champion) and Jan Frode Andersen (three times champion). Ruud takes away €6,150 in prize money as well as 90 ATP ranking points. The teenager will appear on a new career high world number 273 on Monday.

With his title run at @CopaSevilla2016, @CasperRuud98 puts himself in elite company with Top 100 #NextGen stars. pic.twitter.com/m6NbtnFJK4

— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) 11. September 2016