Casper Ruud clinches Millennium Estoril Open defeating Miomir Kecmanovic on his comeback

Casper Ruud won his tenth ATP Tour championship on Sunday in Estoril, after recovering successfully from the injury. At the Millennium Estoril Open final, the Norwegian defeated his friend Miomir Kecmanovic 6-2, 7-6 (3) to win his first tennis tournament of the year. In the title match, the number one seed maintained his serve.

“I feel great. It’s my first time in Estoril and first time lucky, I guess. To be here with the trophy this Sunday is very special. It’s been quite some months since I won my last title, so it’s very important,” Rudd was quoted as saying during the trophy ceremony.

Ruud, who had his greatest professional year in 2022, arrived in Portugal in 2023 with a 5-6  win-loss record. He dropped his opening set of the week to local favorite Joao Sousa on his best surface after returning. Yet, in his four bouts, Ruud survived two three-setters to regain the final three.

Ruud didn’t waste any time in unleashing his game plan in front of the Portuguese audience while competing against Kecmanovic, a longtime buddy. The Norwegian used every effort to forehand as many times as he could.

I felt great: Casper Ruud

His use of every inch of the court to smash from his preferred wing paid off early in the opening set when he broke the Serbian’s serve at 1-1. He, eventuall,y saved the break point with a forehand winner. With a massive forehand smash, he later won a second break and took complete control of the first set.

Early on, in the second set, Kecmanovic – who was going for his second ATP Tour victory – stepped up his game. They proceeded to a tie-break after the Serbian saved five break points he faced but failed to convert three of his own.

At 3/4, Kecmanovic missed a wide crosscourt backhand from a standing position, giving up the crucial mini-break. When his opponent couldn’t handle a dipping backhand passing shot from well below the baseline, Ruud grabbed another point.

Ruud just needed one more championship point after earning three. He celebrated his triumph by throwing a ball into the air, and then he gave his friend at the net a hearty handshake.

“I felt great. All my stay was great [with the] fans, great stadium, great atmosphere on this court. It was full every time that I was on the court it was a full stadium so thank you to everyone who is here today and also during the week,” the 24-year-old asserted.