By Richard Pagliaro | Saturday, October 18, 2025Photo credit: BNP Paribas Nordic Open Facebook
Beneath Stockholm’s roof, Casper Ruud is showing high hard-court ceiling.
Ruud rode a stinging first serve defeating Denis Shapovalov 6-3, 6-4 to charge into his 26th career final at the Stockholm Open.
The second-seeded Ruud served 65 percent, permitted only seven points on first serve and saved four of five break points beating Shapovalov for the third time in four meetings.
Former world No. 2 Ruud improved to an ATP-best 10-1 indoors this year avenging his lone indoor loss to then 54th-ranked Shapovalov in the Dallas final.
It is Ruud’s eighth career hard-court final.
The two-time French Open finalist will play for his second career hard-court crown, and first since 2021 San Diego, when he faces Ugo Humbert in tomorrow’s final.
Top-seeded Holger Rune suffered a torn left Achilles tendon and was forced to retire while leading Humbert 6-4, 2-2 in today’s opening semifinal.
“It’s a shame for Rune and I want him back soon,” Humbert said afterward. “He played better than me and I don’t want to talk too much about the final. It wasn’t how it was supposed to happen.”
The fourth-seeded Humbert is 3-2 lifetime vs. Ruud, including winning both of their prior hard-court encounters. The Stockholm final will be their first meeting on a hard court in nearly five years.
