Herculean Casper Ruud wins two matches in one day to claim Geneva Open title

Casper Ruud won two matches in one day to become Gonet Geneva Open champion for the third time in four years.

The Norwegian player, who won the competition in 2021 and 2022, beat Tomas Machac 7-5 6-3 in the final.

Second seed Ruud had to play two matches after his semifinal tie against Flavio Cobolli on Friday was rained out.

At 4-5 down in the final, Ruud took advantage of his opponent's double fault on set-point to win three games in a row and take the first set, then continued his rhythm in the second to round off the victory.

"He definitely deserved to win the first set, but that's tennis sometimes. It's not always fair," Ruud told the ATP website.

"All the matches are tough, no matter who you play. Tough to find a groove, the weather has been a bit challenging all week but today was fantastic. I feel very happy to win again here in Geneva. It's been a very good season so far."

In his earlier semifinal, Ruud was one point away from defeat but managed to hold his nerve for a 1-6 6-1 7-6(4) win over Cobolli.

In Lyon, 20-year-old Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard secured his first ATP title in his home city by defeating Tomas Martin Etcheverry 6-4 1-6 7-6(7).

The French wild card was a point away from defeat at 6-7 in the tie-break but rallied to claim victory in only his third tour-level event.