CASPER RUUD has described his 6-0 6-1 drubbing by Jannik Sinner as “almost fun”.
The Norwegian, 26, was ruthlessly dispatched in just 65 minutes by the world No1 in their Rome quarter-final earlier today.
Sinner, 23, is playing in his first event since winning the Australian Open in January, having since served a three-month drugs ban.
Ruud, meanwhile, came into the Italian Open in a rich vein of form having beaten Britain’s Jack Draper to win the title in Madrid earlier this month.
In front of a passionate home crowd, Sinner played perfectly to thrash Ruud on Campo Centrale.
Despite the humbling experience, the three-time Grand Slam finalist was not in bad spirits after the match, smiling as he embraced Sinner at the net.
Speaking in his post-match press conference, Ruud said: “It doesn’t feel so bad.
“Honestly, I think it was more fun than anything, even though I lost love and one, it’s like you just look at the guy and say: ‘Wow, this is kind of next-level s***.’ Excuse my language.
“I don’t know what else to say. It was almost fun to witness at the same time. Of course, I wish it was a closer match.
“I wish I could have given the people, the fans, a longer or closer match. But I think that I was there ready to play, he was just even readier.”
Sinner, who met Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican earlier this week, said: “It was a great performance. Very happy about that.
“But things can change quickly, no? Every day is different. Tomorrow is a different opponent.
“We play again in the night. But still it’s a different match-up. I always try to prepare myself in the best possible way.”
Prior to his ban, Sinner had gone 80-6 since the start of 2024.
Despite missing three months, the reigning Australian Open and US Open champion went into Rome still comfortably clear as world No1, having not lost since last September.
Sinner beat Argentina’s Mariano Navone 6-3 6-4 in his first match back last Saturday.
Subsequent straight sets wins against Jesper De Jong and Francisco Cerundolo followed, prior to his quarter-final annihilation of Ruud.
Sinner will meet American Tommy Paul in tomorrow’s semi-finals.
Should he beat the 11th seed, Sinner will face Carlos Alcaraz, the last player to beat him, or compatriot Lorenzo Musetti in Sunday’s final.
The Italian is entered to play in Hamburg next week, ahead of Roland Garros.
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