Follow us on Google Discover Casper Ruud continued his hot run of form at the Swiss Indoors by defeating home favourite Stan Wawrinka.
Wawrinka had beaten Miomir Kecmanovic to clinch his first hard-court win of the season and set up the second-round clash with Ruud.
The three-time Grand Slam champion’s hopes of recording a dream run in Basel came to an end against the Norwegian, however, losing in straight sets, 6-4, 7-6.
Ruud has now claimed six wins in a row, having secured his second title of 2025 at the Stockholm Open to kick off his indoor hard-court season.
Photo by Linnea Rheborg/Getty Images
Seeded fourth at the Swiss Indoors, the world number 11 is seeking another tour-level crown, as well as a spot in the ATP Finals.
Following his victory over Wawrinka, Ruud had high praise for the 40-year-old tennis great.
Casper Ruud reacts to beating Stan Wawrinka at the Swiss Indoors
Reflecting on the match in his on-court interview, Ruud said: “I didn’t get the best start in either of the sets, but Stan also played great and made me uncomfortable.
“I was able to, luckily, get the break back in the first set. A bit fortunate at the end of the first set to steal it, and then the second set was close, many close games, and luckily, I played some good points during the tie break. That settled the match.
“It’s an honour to play against Stan, especially here in Switzerland, his home country. It was an honour to share the court with him.
“He’s a legend, someone I grew up watching on TV, all my childhood, and still he’s here around and challenging all the best players in the world, so it’s an honour to play him, and it was a great atmosphere.”
Photo by Hu Chengwei/Getty ImagesCasper Ruud looks ahead to the quarterfinals in Basel
In the quarterfinals, Ruud will now face Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, whom he has played five times before at tour-level events.
Their last meeting came at Roland Garros in 2024, where Ruud came out on top after a five-set marathon.
Ahead of their sixth bout in Basel, Ruud said: “Hopefully it will be a good one. I’m gonna do my best to recover and get ready for the match, and he’s a really dangerous, good player.
“He played a great level all year, and I have to be ready for a tough match, and I’m gonna do my best.”
Ruud leads the head-to-head 3-2, having won their two most recent matches.