Extending his head-to-head lead to 5-0, Ruud defeated Opelka<\/a> in straight sets, 6-4, 7-6.<\/p>\n Ruud\u2019s<\/a> serve was on fire against Opelka, producing a truly clinical performance in San Francisco.<\/p>\n Reacting to the three-time major finalists\u2019 efforts, Team World vice-captain Pat Rafter<\/a> claimed Ruud had done something he\u2019d never seen before.<\/p>\n Pat Rafter says Casper Ruud\u2019s serving performance was unlike anything he\u2019d ever seen before<\/p>\n During the post-match press conference, Rafter admitted there wasn\u2019t much Opelka could do against Ruud.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know what else Reilly [Opelka] can do here. Especially the surface, it doesn\u2019t obviously really suit him very well. But in saying that, if it was fast, I still don\u2019t know how you get back [Casper] Ruud\u2019s serve today,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cI think he must have made over 20 to 25 first serves in a row. I looked across at Tim Henman<\/a> and went, I\u2019ve never ever seen a serving display like this in my life. He just said, I totally agree. It was impressive.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen the guy is serving like that, there\u2019s not much you can do.\u201d<\/p>\n Ruud made 80% of his first serves against Opelka, as he powered Team Europe to a 1-0 lead.<\/p>\n PlayerAcesDouble faults1st Serve %Win % on 1st ServeWin % on 2nd ServeCasper Ruud 6080%88%69%Reilly Opelka9268%82%58%Serving stats from Casper Ruud vs Reilly Opelka<\/p>\n Rafter sympathised with Opelka, who gave it his all, but just couldn\u2019t keep up with the world number 12.<\/p>\n \u201cReilly hung in there, and he did everything he could. He had so much pressure on him. What I was really impressed with was if he lapses for half a split second any time in that second set, it\u2019s 6-4, 6-4. He didn\u2019t, and he held it together,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cHe had to fight hard in a couple of service games. He did everything he could do. Yeah, you can go would have, could have, should have. Maybe I shouldn\u2019t have played that slow forehand approach in the breaker, which cost him the point, but in hindsight, I know that\u2019s always easy.<\/p>\n \u201cI really couldn\u2019t fault him. I was just sitting there going, Mate, you\u2019re doing everything you can.\u201d<\/p>\n Rafter wasn\u2019t the only one impressed with Ruud\u2019s serve, as Opelka himself heaped praise onto the Norwegian star.<\/p>\n Reilly Opelka says Casper Ruud is \u2018one of the best servers\u2019 on the ATP Tour<\/p>\n The American claimed Ruud\u2019s serve matches up with the very best on the ATP Tour<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cHis serve. Yeah, he\u2019s one of the best servers in the world,\u201d said Opelka.<\/p>\n When asked if Ruud\u2019s serve is underrated, Opelka insisted that players recognize his quality.<\/p>\n \u201cNot on the tour. Not from guys that play him and watch, who know,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cThis guy was two in the world playing for the number one. He was a set away from it pretty much at the US Open<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"Reilly](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/GettyImages-2236333711-1-1024x683.jpg\")
Photo by Ezra Shaw\/Getty Images for Laver Cup<\/p>\n![\"Casper](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/GettyImages-2236344738-1024x683.jpg\")
Photo by Ezra Shaw\/Getty Images for Laver Cup<\/p>\n