Thiago Seyboth Wild beats Casper Ruud and wins his first career title in Santiago
Big surprise at the ATP 250 event in Santiago. Brazilian youngster Thiago Seyboth Wild beat Casper Ruud 7: 5, 4: 6 and 6: 3 in the final and won his first career title - at just 19 years of age.
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit: Mar 01, 2020, 10:30 pm
So far, Casper Ruud can look back on a very successful 2020 season. Right at the start of the season, the 21-year-old was in brilliant shape at the ATP Cup, defeating two better-ranked players, Fabio Fognini and John Isner. A few weeks later, a first milestone in his young career was to follow for the Norwegian: With a safe final victory over Pedro Sousa, Casper Ruud was able to lift his first ATP Tour title into the skies of Buenos Aires.
Exactly two weeks later, Casper Ruud now had the chance to double his title account. The Norwegian played in the Santiago final without losing a set, in which he was to meet 19-year-old Thiago Seyboth Wild. The surprise man from Brazil had switched off the previous clay court king of the season, Cristian Garin, on the way to his first ATP tour final. The Chilean had to give up after losing the first set. Nevertheless, Casper Ruud was the clear favorite in this final, as he is 140 places ahead of his opponent two years younger in the world rankings.
Both players had a strong setback in this final: the first three games of the final went to the return player. Then it was the favorite from Norway who brought a service game for the first time in the fourth game. His opponent also managed this feat, however, with a further break the Brazilian equalized a little later. With that, the two finalists slowly found their serve strength and so the final remained on serve until 6: 5. In the twelfth game Casper Ruud fluttered his nerves and he had to accept the break - and thus the loss of set. The Norwegian found twice as many break chances as his opponent in the first set, but was only able to use two of his ten opportunities.
In round two, the spectators had to wait a lot longer until there was a breakball for the first time - more precisely until the ninth game of the set. Here, Casper Ruud was much more efficient, took his first opportunity and thiago Seyboth Wild took the serve to 5: 4. The Norwegian should not be denied, the 21-year-old was able to put on 1-1 sets. In the decision-making set, the Brazilian youngster broke the set's first break 2-0. As a result, Seyboth Wild acted very confidently on his own serve and after two hours and 16 minutes was able to serve to 7: 5, 4: 6 and 6: 3 success.
For Thiago Seyboth Wild it is the first title on the ATP tour. The 19-year-old made his debut in the main round of an ATP event at the Rio Open this year, so the first title should follow a few days later. Casper Ruud, however, was unable to increase his title account with a second triumph of the season.