Casper Ruud battles past Holger Rune in a gritty four-set match to reach his first French Open semi-final

Casper Ruud battles past Holger Rune 6-1 4-6 7-6(2) 6-3 to reach his first ever Grand Slam semi-final. Ruud, widely regarded as a clay-court specialist, was put to the test by an impressive Rune, but it was the Norwegian who came out on top in four sets to book his place in the final four. Ad/> The 23-year-old will face Marin Cilic in the next round as he looks to win his first Grand Slam title.

/> Roland-Garros'Wow!' — Rune blasts stunning smash after enthralling rally with Ruud10 HOURS AGO Ruud admitted after the match that he was feeling nervous playing in his first French Open quarter-final in the evening session, and credited Rune for an impressive performance. “I had a lot of nerves all day,” he told Eurosport's Mats Wilander after the match. “When you’re waiting all day to get going.

It’s tough to find calm and peace during the day, but I was able to sleep a little bit after breakfast and wanted to delay the day a little bit. «I came here around 3pm-4pm, I did all the preparations. I started great but then Holger fought back well, raised his level and I had a really tough match in the end there.

“He has improved a lot. I’ve played him four times already in my career. I’m probably the player who has played him most on tour so I know a little bit how he plays but he has become much more dangerous, more unpredictable.