Ruud downs Kecmanovic to clinch Estoril title, Carballes Baena victorious in Marrakesh

Harry Carr
April 9, 2023 17:41 MYT
Casper Ruud clinched his 10th career ATP title with a straight-sets victory over Miomir Kecmanovic in Sunday's Estoril Open final, while Roberto Carballes Baena won the Grand Prix Hassan II.

Having enjoyed the best season of his career in 2022, Ruud was bidding for his first trophy success of 2023 in Portugal, and the world number five made a flying start to his clash with Kecmanovic.

Ruud wrapped up the opener in just 36 minutes, taking control with a huge forehand winner to break in just the third game.

The Norwegian navigated two three-set contests in order to reach the showpiece, and it looked like another of his matches may go the distance when Kecmanovic recovered to force a second-set tie-break.

However, a dipping backhand saw Ruud secure the second of two crucial mini breaks, and he took the first of his three championship points to cap a fine week with silverware, sealing a 6-2 7-6 (7-3) win.

Our 2023 champion. @CasperRuud98 pic.twitter.com/tTSjcXeFkb

— Millennium #EstorilOpen (@EstorilOpen) April 9, 2023
An error occurred while retrieving the Tweet. It might have been deleted.
Elsewhere, Carballes Baena won just his second career title, triumphing on the clay in Marrakesh where he beat Alexandre Muller 4-6 7-6 (7-3) 6-2.

France's Muller showed no signs of being overawed on his first final outing as he took the opener in impressive fashion, but Carballes Baena edged a tie-break in the second before dominating the decider.

Carballes Baena's triumph – recorded in just under three hours – gave him his first title since the 2018 Ecuador Open, which also came on his favoured clay surface.

#Tennis #ATP #ATP World Tour #ATP 250 #Grand Prix Hassan II #Estoril Open #Roberto Carballes-Baena #Casper Ruud #Miomir Kecmanovic