Stat of the Day

Casper the flawless frontrunner: Ruud now 20-0 this year after winning the first set

By John Berkok May 04, 2025
Stat of the Day

Iga Swiatek is still the only tennis player to reach the third round at every Grand Slam this decade

By John Berkok May 28, 2025
Stat of the Day

Novak Djokovic becomes first man in Open Era to win a title in 20 seasons, breaks Rafa's record

By John Berkok May 24, 2025
Stat of the Day

Andrey Rublev scores 350th win of career with victory over Auger-Aliassime in Hamburg

By John Berkok May 23, 2025
Stat of the Day

Carlos Alcaraz becomes first player to beat Jannik Sinner in straight sets since 2023

By John Berkok May 18, 2025
Stat of the Day

Jannik Sinner joins Federer, Nadal, Djokovic and Murray on legendary list with 25th win in a row

By John Berkok May 15, 2025
Stat of the Day

Carlos Alcaraz becomes first man born in 2000s to reach all nine Masters 1000 quarterfinals

By John Berkok May 13, 2025
Stat of the Day

On-fire Jack Draper records milestone 100th win of career to reach fourth round in Rome

By John Berkok May 11, 2025
Stat of the Day

Aryna Sabalenka becomes first tennis player to win three titles this year after victory in Madrid

By John Berkok May 03, 2025
Stat of the Day

Taylor Fritz records milestone 300th win of career, first American man born in 1990s to do so

By John Berkok Apr 27, 2025
Stat of the Day

Casper the flawless frontrunner: Ruud now 20-0 this year after winning the first set

It’s the best record from a set up on the men’s tour in 2025.

ByJohn Berkok

Published May 04, 2025

MATCH POINT: Casper Ruud defeats Jack Draper to win biggest title in Madrid

Advertising

Would it be Casper the friendly frontrunner, or would he technically be an unfriendly frontrunner?

Either way, he’s been a flawless frontrunner so far this year, and with his 7-5, 3-6, 6-4 victory over Jack Draper in the final of the Mutua Madrid Open on Sunday night, Casper Ruud is now an incredible 20-0 this year after winning the first set.

It’s the best record from a set up on the men's tour in 2025.

In terms of undefeated records after winning the first set this year, it’s by far the best—the next-best one actually goes to his opponent in the final in the Spanish capital, Draper, who’s 15-0.

Americans Tommy Paul and Brandon Nakashma are next at 13-0.

Carlos Alcaraz and Alex de Minaur have more wins from a set up this year, but both have losses—Alcaraz is 21-2, falling to Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open and David Goffin in Miami, while De Minaur is 21-1, coming within two points of winning in the only loss, a 1-6, 6-4, 7-6 (4) nail-biter against Lorenzo Musetti in Monte Carlo.

Ruud captured the 13th and biggest title of his career at the Masters 1000 event in Madrid this year.

Ruud captured the 13th and biggest title of his career at the Masters 1000 event in Madrid this year.

© 2025 Getty Images

Advertising

And unlike in Madrid on Sunday, usually when Ruud wins the first set this year, he closes the match out in straight sets—that's been the case in 15 of the 20 wins in that 20-0 record from a set up.

The five that got complicated are all in bold below.

RUUD AFTER WINNING FIRST SET THIS YEAR: 20-0

  • d. Machac in United Cup RR, 7-6, 5-7, 6-4
  • d. Hurkacz in United Cup RR, 7-5, 6-3
  • d. Munar in Australian Open 1st Rd, 6-3, 1-6, 7-5, 2-6, 6-1
  • d. Navone in Davis Cup RR, 6-3, 6-3
  • d. Etcheverry in Davis Cup RR, 6-3, 6-3
  • d. Duckworth in Dallas 1st Rd, 7-5, 4-6, 6-2
  • d. Mmoh in Dallas 2nd Rd, 6-1, 6-4
  • d. Nishioka in Dallas QFs, 7-5, 3-2 ret.
  • d. Munar in Dallas SFs, 6-2, 2-6, 7-6
  • d. Rinderknech in Acapulco 1st Rd, 6-4, 6-3
  • d. Tabilo in Miami 3rd Rd, 6-4, 7-6
  • d. Bautista Agut in Monte Carlo 2nd Rd, 6-2, 6-1
  • d. Galan in Barcelona 1st Rd, 6-4, 6-3
  • d. Medjedovic in Barcelona 2nd Rd, 7-5, 7-5
  • d. Rinderknech in Madrid 2nd Rd, 6-3, 6-4
  • d. Korda in Madrid 3rd Rd, 6-3, 6-3
  • d. Fritz in Madrid 4th Rd, 7-5, 6-4
  • d. Medvedev in Madrid QFs, 6-3, 7-5
  • d. Cerundolo in Madrid SFs, 6-4, 7-5
  • d. Draper in Madrid F, 7-5, 3-6, 6-4

So, winning the first set against Ruud could be key this year—he's 1-6 after losing the first set, the one comeback coming against Miomir Kecmanovic in his opening match in Miami, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4.