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Thompson misplaced his solely different tour-level singles finals, each on grass at ’s-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands, in 2019 and 2023.
The turning level
Nothing got here simple for Thompson within the closing in opposition to Ruud, who would have returned to the highest 10 if he received the Los Cabos closing.
He staved off two break factors in a seven-minute opening service sport, then two extra within the fifth sport to forge 3-2 forward, in what appeared an ominous begin for him after his marathon effort simply to achieve the decider.
However every little thing modified a sport later, when the Aussie fighter clobbered an inside-in forehand winner to interrupt Ruud to like in opposition to the movement of play.
Thompson goes on the assault in opposition to Casper Ruud within the singles closing of the Los Cabos Open.Credit score: EPA/Jorge Reyes
Actually, Thompson reeled off 13 factors in a row from these break factors down, however nonetheless wanted to avoid wasting two extra break-back factors – each off Ruud errors – earlier than securing a one-set edge.
Thompson displayed his full arsenal of tips, dodging hassle repeatedly along with his huge serve, whereas irritating Ruud with a sequence of slices, gutsy baseline play and sharp volleying from the web.
He introduced up his set level with a powerful forehand winner that he curled round Ruud on the internet.
Thompson instantly went a break down within the second set, however received 5 of six video games from 0-2 all the way down to be a sport away from victory. He tried desperately to interrupt Ruud and keep away from having to serve for the match, however the Norwegian held on in a gruelling sport.
Thompson’s internet play was a consider his Los Cabos closing overcome Ruud.Credit score: Alex Ellinghausen
Thompson by no means got here near clinching the ultimate within the subsequent sport, dropping serve to degree the competition at five-all. Nonetheless, he dug deep to achieve a tiebreaker earlier than an premature Ruud double fault paved the way in which for Thompson’s victory.
Thompson wanted only one match level, delivering a searing first serve then thrashing a forehand winner off Ruud’s quick return to clinch the title.
He instructed this masthead in an in depth interview forward of final yr’s US Open that the following aim he needed to tick off was incomes a grand slam seeding for the primary time – and he has by no means been nearer to that being a actuality.
Thompson’s quarter-final run at Delray Seashore final week put him contained in the world’s prime 40 for the primary time earlier than he beat native wildcard Ernesto Escobedo, Emilio Nava, Michelsen, Zverev and Ruud en path to the Los Cabos title.
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He has few factors to defend between now and the beginning of Roland-Garros in late Might, so he has put himself in a superb place.
Thompson has suffered six first-round exits from eight journeys to the claycourt main and sometimes avoids the crimson filth as a lot as attainable, however a seeding can be massively helpful for him if he can keep that standing for Wimbledon.
He’s an completed grasscourt performer and will do some harm with a friendlier draw. A seeding means he wouldn’t must play a seeded rival till a minimum of the third spherical.
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