Ruud switches up summer schedule to good effect

Casper Ruud made the switch this summer from Switzerland a year ago to Sweden this week and now stands three wins away from his second clay title of the season.

The world No. 4 Norwegian is thriving in the Scandinavian sunshine of Bastad as top seed, reaching the quarter-finals on Thursday over Alexander Shevchenko 6-2, 6-4.

Last year at this time, the three-time grand Slam finalist was well on his way to a second straight trophy at the elite Alpine resort village of Gstaad.

But despite professing his love for the Alps – and meeting up with singer and Swiss resident Shania Twain post-final – Ruud opted to take an appearance  contract with Bastad, which can lay claim to him for at least this year and next.

“I am very happy to win. It was tough here for me last year, losing in my first match, so to get a win is good, in front of a Scandinavian crowd,” Ruud said after dispatching his 96th-ranked opponent.

“It was very difficult with the wind today, conditions were a bit challenging but I was able to do good enough.”

Ruud improved to 18-6 on the season but is somewhat off his pace after winning three events in 2022 on his preferred clay.

He will aim for the semis against Austrian Sebastian Ofner, who put out Bernabe Zapata Miralles 4-6, 6-4, 6-4.

Ruud owns the Swedish silverware from 2021