Casper Ruud advances to Barcelona Open quarter-finals with comeback win

Ruud survives early breaks to defeat Medjedovic as Tsitsipas, Rune, and Fils also reach quarter-finals.

Casper Ruud of Norway serves during his match against Hamad Medjedovic of Serbia on day three of the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell 2025 at Real Club de Tenis Barcelona on April 16, 2025, in Barcelona, Spain. Photo by Judit Cartiel/Getty Images

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

Casper Ruud advanced to the Barcelona Open quarter-finals on Wednesday, defeating Serbian up-and-comer Hamad Medjedovic in straight sets, 7-5, 7-5. The Norwegian, who is currently ranked tenth in the world, had to come from behind in both sets to secure his spot in the last eight of the prestigious clay-court tournament.

Ruud, the defending champion in Barcelona, struggled at the start of the match when he conceded a break in the opening game. But true to his reputation as a composed clay-court specialist, he fought back with calm precision. The 26-year-old broke back at 4-4, leveled the set, and saved four break points in a nervy eleventh game to edge ahead. On his third set point, Ruud finally clinched the first set, showing his tactical awareness and steady baseline play.

The second set followed a similar rhythm. Medjedovic broke early once again, but Ruud patiently chipped away at the Serbian’s lead. This time, he broke to love late in the set, then served out the match with clinical efficiency. The straight-sets win underlined Ruud's ability to weather pressure moments and grind out wins on his favored surface.

Ruud’s journey to the Barcelona Open quarter-finals adds momentum to what has already been a strong clay season for him. With three Grand Slam final appearances in his career and a steady rise in the ATP rankings, he’s consistently proving himself as one of the most reliable players on clay.

Tsitsipas cruises past Korda to set up Fils showdown

Meanwhile, Stefanos Tsitsipas, seeded third in Barcelona and a finalist here in 2024, also secured his place in the quarter-finals. The Greek star produced a composed performance to beat American Sebastian Korda 7-6(4), 6-4.

The first set saw no break opportunities for either player, as both served with power and accuracy. Tsitsipas edged out the tiebreak with a series of clutch points that demonstrated his big-match experience. In the second set, the 25-year-old broke at a critical moment and managed to protect his serve throughout, sealing a routine victory.

With this win, Tsitsipas sets up a highly anticipated quarter-final against 20-year-old Frenchman Arthur Fils. Tsitsipas acknowledged the challenge ahead, saying, "I think Fils is a great competitor, I've played him twice and had no luck. I'm going to change a few things compared to those two matches."

Fils made short work of Pedro Martinez in his own Round of 16 clash, beating the Spaniard 6-3, 6-2. The young Frenchman dropped only one break point, which he saved, and dictated play with aggressive shotmaking and court coverage. His current world ranking of 14 speaks volumes about his rapid rise and potential to shake up the tournament.

Rune bounces back after rocky start against Baez

Holger Rune had a more turbulent path to the quarter-finals. The 20-year-old Dane dropped the first set against Argentina’s Sebastian Baez but mounted a fierce comeback to win 4-6, 6-1, 6-2. Rune, currently ranked 13th in the world, had withdrawn from Monte Carlo the previous week due to food poisoning but showed no signs of lingering fatigue as he found his rhythm.

Baez began the match strongly, breaking Rune in the first game and maintaining control of the set with solid defense. Rune was erratic, committing 15 unforced errors to just 10 winners. But once the second set began, the dynamic shifted completely.

Rune tightened his game and began dictating points with his heavy groundstrokes. He broke Baez three times in the second set, and again three more times in the decider, eventually sealing the win on his third match point. His ability to adapt mid-match and raise his level underlined why many see Rune as a potential future Grand Slam champion.

Alcaraz eyes third Barcelona title

Looking ahead to Thursday, world number two Carlos Alcaraz will take on Serbia’s Laslo Djere in the second round. Alcaraz, who has already won the Barcelona Open twice, is the home favorite and a strong contender to lift the trophy again this year.

Still only 20, Alcaraz brings flair and youthful energy to every match, thrilling Spanish fans and international audiences alike. His anticipated clash with Djere could be a testing encounter, but the young Spaniard has rarely faltered in front of his home crowd.

Ruud aims for back-to-back Barcelona Open titles

As the tournament heads into its final stages, Casper Ruud’s Barcelona Open quarter-finals appearance fuels hope for a title defense. Ruud, known for his work ethic and quiet intensity, may not attract the same media buzz as Alcaraz or Tsitsipas, but his record on clay speaks for itself.

The Norwegian’s methodical style, heavy topspin forehand, and strong mental game make him a formidable opponent on this surface. With his confidence growing match by match, he will enter the quarter-finals as a clear favorite, regardless of his opponent.

The road ahead will not be easy. Ruud could face one of the tournament’s other top seeds if he continues to progress. However, his ability to rebound from early breaks against Medjedovic shows he's mentally prepared for the battles ahead.

With Alcaraz, Tsitsipas, Rune, and Fils also in top form, the quarter-final stage promises high-quality tennis and compelling storylines. All eyes will now be on how these top contenders perform under pressure as the clay season continues to heat up in Barcelona.