Swept aside by Ruud, Norrie praises his opponent: "I'd say he's the favourite of the tournament and probably the favourite of Roland Garros too"

On Monday, Cameron Norrie was soundly beaten by a very good Casper Ruud (6-2, 6-4). The Norwegian, who has been unstoppable since Monte Carlo (11 wins in 12 matches, 1 title and 1 final), has mastered his game. Without playing his best tennis, he seems to have quite a margin on clay and has not yet been challenged (in Madrid). Very calm, the world number 6 disposed of a helpless Norrie in complete tranquillity.

Asked in the press conference about the level of his tormentor, the world number 30 was full of praise. Impressed by his opponent's level, particularly on the backhand (the Norwegian's usual weak point), Norrie didn't hesitate to make Casper Ruud the favourite for the title, and not just in Madrid: "He always does well here in Madrid and he hit his backhand incredibly well today, so I was really impressed. He passed me a few times and I'm not sure he missed many backhands today (this Monday), maybe one in the first game and that's all I remember, so it was really an impressive level from him. I'd say he's the favorite of the tournament and probably the favorite of the French Open too. [...] I was very impressed by the quality of his game. He's obviously very confident, and he played very well in Monte Carlo and Barcelona, which surprised me a little. I managed to regain the upper hand a little in the second set, but I was a little disappointed in the last game. It's a good lesson."

Ruud is establishing himself as one of the best clay-court players in the world, that much is clear. That said, isn't Cameron Norrie jumping the gun when he says that Ruud is the only favourite to win the title in Paris? Perhaps not, but the question is certainly worth asking.

In any case, Ruud will face Felix Auger-Aliassime this Tuesday for a place in the quarter-finals of the Madrid Masters 1000.