Casper Ruud bested his rival Holger Rune in three sets in the first match of their Nordic Battle 2024.
The two Scandinavians didn't have the best start to their relationship on the ATP Tour. A couple of years ago, they met at the French Open, and that match was overshadowed by multiple controversies.
Since then, their relationship has become much friendlier. They became so much more friendly that the two have actually decided to organize a couple of exhibition matches together.
The first of those two exhibition matches took place at Varner Arena in Asker, Norway, so Ruud had a home-field advantage. Since it was an exhibition match, both approached it as such, but at the end of the day, they are both competitors and wanted to win.
With Ruud leading the H2H against Rune 6-1, the young Dane had an obvious incentive to try to win, and he started well, breaking early in the match to lead 2-0 after two games played, winning eight consecutive points during those two games.
However, Ruud was able to quickly break back, and after six games played, the score was tied at 3-3. The Norwegian already led 4-3, but his Danish opponent started another comeback. Rune first made it 4-,4 and then he broke again to lead 5-4 in the opening set.
Serving for the set, Rune stayed perfect, winning the game to love to win the first set 6-4. Naturally, Ruud had an answer ready in front of the home crowd, starting with a simple hold to love.
Both then easily held their serves while also making it clear that they were aware that it was only an exhibition match, going for shots that they probably usually wouldn't go for, delivering multiple tweeners.
In the tenth game of the second set, both players were replaced by young spectators for a while. After Rune's substitute lost a point, the Dane also lost the second set, 4-6, sending the match into the decider.
Like with many exhibitions, there wasn't a full third set played but instead a match tie-break. Rune had a great start, leading 5-2 after seven points played, but his opponent then started a great run of points.
Ruud won eight of the last ten points of the match to win the super tie-break 10-8 and the match 4-6, 6-4, 10-8 to record a win in the first match of the Nordic Battle 2024.
The match was obviously an exhibition, and Ruud certainly wanted to delight the Norwegian crowd with a win. To get revenge, Rune will have a chance to delight his home crowd in the second leg of the Nordic Battle 2024.
Players will travel from Ruud's home country, Norway, to Rune's home country, Denmark, where they will meet in the Royal Arena in Copenhagen on December 3rd in the second match of the Nordic Battle 2024.
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