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The ATP 1000 Miami Open was filled with upsets, exciting moments, and unexpected results, and those didn’t stop as we entered the tournament’s final stages.
Here we will take a look at some of the most memorable moments in Miami as the final remaining tennis players take one step closer to the coveted trophy. Let’s jump right into action so you can keep betting against the ATP Odds.
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Cerundolo Secures SF, After Sinner Retires
Francisco Cerundolo advanced into the Miami Open semi-finals on Wednesday after Italian Jannik Sinner was forced to retire due to foot blisters. But even though Cerundolo was handed a walkover, the Argentine player had shown enough, leading 4-1 in the first set, before Sinner called the match after just 23 minutes.
Not many expected Cerundolo to make it this far, though. The world no.103 held a 0-2 hard-court record before Miami Open but has now fought his way into the semi-finals of an ATP Masters 1000 tournament for the first time in his career.
Ranked outside of the top-100, Cerundolo has also written history by making it past Sinner, as he is now the lowest-ranked men’s singles semifinalist in tournament history. Moreover, he is the first player since Jerzy Janowicz (at Rolex Paris Masters in 2012) to reach the semi-finals in his Masters 1000 debut.
Prior to beating Sinner, Cerundolo has already earned solid victories against Tallon Griekspoor, Reilly Opelka, Gael Monfils, and Frances Tiafoe en route to the Miami Open quarter-finals.
“I didn’t know anything,” Cerundolo said. “When I was serving at 3-1, 30/0, I saw him bending down. It was really strange. I didn’t see anything wrong, and I hope he is ok; he is a great player.”
Cerundolo will now face off against Casper Ruud, who defeated Alexander Zverev by 6-3, 1-6, 6-3 on Wednesday.
Ruud Beats Zverev On His Third Attempt
The third time was the charm for Casper Ruud, who finally secured a head-to-head victory against Alexander Zverev on Wednesday, securing his spot in the Miami Open semi-finals.
The Norwegian won against Zverev with 6-3, 1-6, 6-3, and is now set to face off against the surprise semifinalist, Cerundolo, who secured a walkover victory against Sinner. And not only did Ruud’s success mark his first H2H win against Zverev, but the Norwegian tennis star has, with that victory, secured his spot in his first Masters 1000 semi-finals.
“It feels good, and it means a lot. This is my first semi-final in a Masters 1000 on hard courts, so that’s a good feeling. I’m very happy to do it here in Miami,” said Ruud.
“I’ve felt good the couple weeks I’ve been here practising, and the matches have felt very good. I want to of course, keep going. Today was my toughest challenge yet of the tournament, and on Friday will be another big one.”
Interestingly, Ruud has lost his first three Masters 1000 QFs on this surface, which included two against Zverev, who beat him twice last year without letting Ruud score a single set. But that didn’t stop Ruud from clawing his way past the German for his fifth top-10 victory (5-15).
The 23-year-old has now been given a big opportunity to make the finals, as he faces off against world no-103, Cerundolo, who had never before competed at Masters 1000 event. Moreover, this will be Ruud’s first H2H with Cerundolo.
Ruud is currently priced as the heavy favorite to defeat Cerundolo, who will enter Friday’s match as a +400 underdog. And if the online ATP betting odds are to be trusted, Ruud should be set to make his first ATP Masters 1000 finals of his career.