Casper Ruud successfully defends his title at the Geneva Open.

The favored Norwegian prevailed in the final after more than three hours and a 3:5 deficit in the last set with 7:6 (7:3), 4:6, 7:6 (7:1) against the Portuguese João Sousa.

Sousa had it in hand. The 33-year-old served seven years after losing the first final in Geneva (against the Brazilian Thomaz Bellucci) with a score of 5: 4 to win the tournament. In the decisive minutes, however, the veteran from Guimãraes showed nerves and let Ruud come back into the match. This was particularly annoying for Sousa because he had previously served very well in the deciding set.

Ruud, known for his consistency, didn’t let the chance pass him by and was untouchable in the second tiebreak of the game, as he was in the first. The world number eight is now traveling to the French Open, which begins on Sunday, with an eighth ATP title in his pocket. In Paris, the 23-year-old is at least one of the upcoming outsiders.

Ruud once again deserved the detour via Switzerland. He is still undefeated in this country. Last year he also won the tournament in Gstaad, where he is expected again in mid-July. In Geneva, he achieved his second tournament win in a row, which only Stan Wawrinka (winner 2016 and 2017) had managed since the Geneva Open was revived.

sth