Emil Ruusuvuori will get to measure his level on Friday against Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz, 19, who is second in the world rankings. Rusuvuori won Alcarazi in March 2021.
In March 2021 Emil Ruusuvuori covered the 17-year-old Spanish super promise Carlos Alcarazin after a tight fight, set 2–1 (6-4, 2-6, 7-5).
Since then, Alcaraz’s career has quickly skyrocketed into the ranks of the world’s sharpest stars. Alcaraz has already won the US Open and has been ranked number one in the world. Now the ranking is a notch lower.
Rusuvuori gets to measure his level against Alcarazi in the second round of the ATP tournament in Madrid on Friday afternoon.
– He is the best player in the world at the moment, 24-year-old Ruusuvuori commented excitedly.
Alcaraz won the Madrid ATP tournament a year ago. Then other things fell in his handling Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev. Alcaraz’s next destination is Rose Mountain.
Rusuvuori says that he trained with Alcarazi in Alicante, Spain last year. The Finn finds good things to say about the world star.
– He is a really nice guy and has developed a lot in recent years. This is what we are here for. I’m looking for experiences like this. I’m going to challenge and do my best.
At the beginning of April, Ruusuvuori had the best ranking reading of his career, 37th. Now the ranking is 41st. At the end of March, Ruusuvuori reached the quarterfinals for the first time at the Masters level in Miami.
Rusuvuori starts the Alcaraz match with a win. The Finn defeated the French in the opening round on Wednesday evening Ugo Humbert’s set 7-6, 7-6.
– It was a good match. Both passed well. I was sharp in important places, says Ruusuvuori.
Rusuvuori describes Madrid’s platform as fast.
– Almost like playing inside, Ruusuvuori sums up.