KEY POINTS
- Tallon Griekspoor upset the second-seeded Casper Ruud in a thrilling three-set match in Dubai.
- The Dutch player secured the victory by winning a decisive tiebreak in the final set.
- Griekspoor will now face Alexander Bublik for a spot in the professional tournament final.
Tallon Griekspoor achieved one of the biggest wins of his season on Thursday at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. The unseeded Dutch athlete defeated the world number nine Casper Ruud in a tense quarter-final encounter. Griekspoor demonstrated remarkable mental toughness to recover after losing the first set. He eventually secured the victory with a final score of 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (10-8).
The match lasted over two and a half hours as both players struggled to gain a consistent advantage. Ruud initially looked in control, utilizing his heavy baseline strokes to dictate the pace of the opening set. However, Griekspoor increased his aggression in the second set and improved his first-serve percentage significantly. This shift in momentum allowed him to break Ruud’s serve and force a third set.
The deciding set featured high-quality tennis from both competitors under the desert heat. Neither player was able to secure a service break, leading to a dramatic final tiebreak. Ruud held several match points during the tiebreak, but Griekspoor saved them with bold net play and powerful forehands. The Dutch star finally converted his own opportunity to seal the match and move into the semi-finals.
Griekspoor’s victory marks his first win over a top-ten opponent this year. He credited his success to a disciplined tactical approach and a commitment to staying aggressive during key moments. This result continues a strong run of form for the 29-year-old on hard courts. His ability to handle the quick conditions in Dubai has made him a dangerous contender for the title.
In the next round, Griekspoor will compete against the seventh seed Alexander Bublik. Bublik advanced after his opponent, Jiri Lehecka, was forced to retire due to an injury during their match. The semi-final matchup promises to be a contrast in styles between Griekspoor’s consistency and Bublik’s unpredictable shot-making. Both players are seeking their first major trophy of the 2026 season.
Elsewhere in the tournament, top seed Daniil Medvedev continued his dominant run with a straight-sets win. Medvedev defeated Alejandro Davidovich Fokina to keep his title defense hopes alive. He will face Ugo Humbert in the other semi-final match scheduled for Friday. The high level of competition in Dubai has attracted large crowds throughout the week.
Casper Ruud expressed disappointment with the loss but praised Griekspoor’s performance during the critical tiebreak. The Norwegian player will now turn his focus toward the upcoming masters events in the United States. Despite the exit, Ruud remains one of the most consistent performers on the professional circuit this year. He noted that the small margins in the final set determined the outcome of the match.
The tournament organizers expect a sell-out crowd for the remaining matches this weekend. Tennis fans are eager to see if Griekspoor can continue his underdog story and reach the final. The winner of the Dubai event will earn significant ranking points and a substantial financial prize. The action remains intense as the field narrows down to the final four competitors.
