KITZBÜHEL, July 30, 2021
Top seed Casper Ruud and Spaniard Pedro Martinez will compete in Saturday’s singles final at the Generali Open in Kitzbühel.
The World No. 14 from Norway defeated Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech 6-3, 7-6(7) on a rain-interrupted Friday in Tyrol. Ruud withstood 10 aces and broke his opponent’s serve one time to secure victory in one hour and 48 minutes.
Unbelievable run! 🤯@CasperRuud98 makes it 3 finals in 3 weeks defeating Rinderknech 6-3 7-6 and moving into the final in Kitzbuhel!#ATPKitz pic.twitter.com/RCP46shFrq
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) July 30, 2021
“I think I played steady the whole match and with few mistakes. That was the plan all along, to try to feed him with a lot of balls as much as possible,” Ruud said. “He has a lot of big weapons, but sometimes when he plays it can be high-risk and there can be mistakes. I think I did the plan very well.”
Earlier in the day, Martinez advanced to his first final on the ATP Tour following a hard-fought 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 win over Germany’s Daniel Altmaier. The World No. 97 won 73 per cent of his first-service points and converted four of his 12 break-point opportunities to prevail after two hours and 29 minutes.
Masterful from Martinez 🙌@PedroMPortero battles past Altmaier 4-6 6-3 6-3 to get through to his first ATP Tour final in Kitzbuhel!#ATPKitz pic.twitter.com/oEyjlwsglG
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) July 30, 2021
“The atmosphere is amazing,” Martinez said in his post-match press conference. “I am super happy to have reached the final. I won three tough matches here. I am ready for tomorrow.”
Ruud is seeking to become the first player since Andy Murray in October 2011 to win three ATP Tour singles titles in as many weeks. The 22-year-old Oslo native lifted the trophies at the Nordea Open in Bastad, Sweden and the Swiss Open Gstaad. Martinez and Ruud will meet for the first time.
