Tonight, Jannik Sinner will face his toughest test since returning from his ban, as he seeks to overcome Casper Ruud at the Italian Open.
The match pits two top-ten tennis stars against one another on a surface where both have enjoyed success in recent years.
In fact, it was the Italian’s clay-court prowess that led Casper Ruud to warn fans not to expect a walkover simply due to his Madrid Open title.
Casper Ruud previews his Italian Open match vs Jannik Sinner
Speaking to Tennis Channel, he actually encouraged onlookers to expect a hard-fought encounter, before then turning his attention to the Italian Open crowd.
He admitted: ‘It will be tough. Of course, he has had a tremendous couple of years, especially on the hard court and indoor hard court. He’s almost been impossible to beat.
‘But he’s also had a great clay court season, let’s not forget. Last year he did semis of Monte Carlo, I think it was quarters in Madrid he pulled out, and then semis of Roland Garros, so he can definitely play on this surface. It’s not like he is a completely different player.’
The 26-year-old continued: ’We had a practice set the other day before the tournament started and it was a pretty even set. I think it could be a fun match. Of course, I got a little taste of the Italian crowd the other night with Matteo and I’m sure tomorrow it will be even crazier.’
Ruud spoke about Sinner’s ban in detail back in September of last year, and this will be the second time they have faced one another since his claims.