PARIS – [8] Casper Ruud (NOR) is into the Roland-Garros semifinals after a 4-set victory over Holger Rune, 6-1, 4-6, 7-6, 6-3.
Despite losing the second set, Ruud was relentless from the ground. He hit 55 winners to just 24 unforced errors during the night session on Philippe-Chatrier.
Ruud will play [20] Marin Cilic for a spot in the finals. Cilic is just the fifth active player to reach the semifinals at all four majors.
"These are the matches you dream about playing and hopefully of course even the final, if it's possible," said Ruud, who is the first Norwegian to ever appear in a Grand Slam quarterfinal. "I have to be really focused and bring my 'A' game in the semifinal because Marin has played great all week and it's going to be another tough match."
Ruud leads the ATP with wins on clay (65) since 2020, including seven tournament titles.
AROUND THE GROUNDS
Former Roland-Garros Doubles Champion Caroline Garcia (FRA) is back in the semifinals. Garcia and partner Kristina Mladenovic paired up for the first time in Paris since their major victory back in 2016.
After falling to top seed Iga Swiatek in the singles quarterfinals earlier on Wednesday, Jessica Pegula (USA) teamed up with fellow American Coco Gauff to reach the semifinals. It is Pegula’s first Grand Slam semifinal appearance in doubles.
In mixed doubles, Ena Shibahara (JPN) is into her first Grand Slam final. She will play for the Roland-Garros title with partner Wesley Koolhof on Thursday.
[6] Liv Hovde (USA), [9] Lucie Havlickova (CZE), and [12] Nikola Daubnerova (SVK) have advanced to quarterfinals in girls’ singles. Hovde, who is also in the quarterfinals of doubles, is the highest seeded player remaining in the draw.
After upsetting the No. 8 seed in the opening round, Peter Benjamin Privara (SVK) won three more matches to reach his first junior Grand Slam quarterfinal in the boys’ division.