Ruud reaches the Dallas final after a hard-fought battle with Munar

Casper Ruud needed three sets to beat Jaume Munar (6-2, 2-6, 7-6) in the first semi-final of the ATP 500 in Dallas on Saturday.

The Norwegian got off to a perfect start, taking the first set after half an hour's play, but then began to falter in the face of Munar's attacking play.

The Spaniard, a conqueror on the court with numerous points won at the net, even served for the match at 5-4 in the third set, before losing his service game and cracking the tie-break against Ruud's solidity.

Tomorrow, the world No. 5 will contest his first final on the ATP circuit since the Barcelona tournament almost a year ago.

He will face the winner of the match between Tommy Paul and Denis Shapovalov.