PAGUERA, February 13, 2016

Two teenagers went head to head in Saturday’s final of the second week of the $10,000 ITF Futures in Paguera, held at the Tennis Academy Mallorca.

Steven Diez captures the ITF Future title in the first week in Paguera

17-year-old Casper Ruud battled past seven months older Spaniard Carlos Taberner, winning 2-6, 7-6, 6-0. Both players came from the qualifying and had to win seven matches to appear in their first final on the ITF Pro Circuit. Ruud, ranked at 1146th position, hit six aces and capitalized on four of his 24 break point chances to prevail in two hours and 29 minutes.

Casper Ruud with coach Pedro Rico

The youngster from Norway knocked out first seed Kamil Majrchzak en route to the title, taking away $1,440 in prize money as well as 18 ATP ranking points.

“I think that the conditions here suit my game very well, which made it possible to play my best tennis in a while. I like playing outdoors on clay. My body also feels good. I feel quick and strong,” Ruud told after clinching his biggest win of his young career.