Rublev Repels Cerundolo, Will Play Ruud in Bastad Final

Andrey Rublev continues to show finals flair this year.

Rublev dethroned defending champion Francisco Cerundolo 7-6(6), 6-7(7), 6-3 to battle into his fifth final of the season on the red clay of Bastad.

The second-seeded Rublev fired nine aces and saved 10 of 11 break points edging Cerundolo in two hours, 47 minutes. Rublev raised his clay-court record to 17-4 on the season.

Rublev’s five finals are third most on the ATP Tour this season behind world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz (seven finals) and Daniil Medvedev (six finals).

Next up for Rublev is top-seeded Casper Ruud.

The two-time Roland Garros finalist Ruud stopped third-seeded Lorenzo Musetti 6-3, 7-5.

Ruud has not dropped a set en route to the final. Ruud raised his clay-court record to 20-6 in 2023. Nine of his 10 career titles have come on clay.

World No. 7 Rublev is playing for his 14th career championship