Lucky No.7! Ruud rules Madrid

Casper Ruud joked seven was his lucky number after claiming the most important trophy of his career in his seventh big final as he beat Jack Draper on Sunday to win the Madrid Open.

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The Norwegian, a three-time Grand Slam runner-up, earned his first Masters 1000 triumph with a 7-5, 3-6, 6-4 victory over the Briton in a two-anda-half hour tussle at the Manolo Santana stadium.

Rising star Draper, who moved to fifth in the world rankings yesterday above Novak Djokovic, was hoping to add to his Indian Wells title in March but Ruud outlasted him in his third Masters final.

“This was my seventh big final if you count them all, so seven is a lucky number, I guess,’ laughed Ruud.

“So it was worth the wait in the end. I've never really been too close in any of the finals when I look back — I've lost the majority of them in straight sets.”

After his prior struggles on the big occasion, also losing in the 2022 ATP Finals showpiece to Djokovic, Ruud was grateful to triumph in the Spanish capital.

“It is a mix somewhat of a relief and happiness and just pure joy,” he explained.