Ruud Hails Sinner's 'Next-Level' Play After One-Sided Loss

Jannik Sinner dominates Casper Ruud 6-0, 6-1 at the Italian Open. Ruud praises Sinner's 'near perfect' performance. Read more about the match.

Casper Ruud was left stunned after Jannik Sinner's dominant straight-sets victory over him at the Italian Open. Sinner won 6-0, 6-1 in just over an hour, sending Ruud out of the tournament.

Ruud heaped praise on Sinner's exceptional performance, describing it as ”near perfect” and “next level.” Sinner's convincing win propelled him into the Rome semi-finals.

“It's as near as perfect that I witnessed, at least as a player, playing someone, so just got to give it to him,” Ruud told reporters.

“Everything else that came out of his racket... feels like a hundred miles an hour plus, every single shot, on the forearm, from the backhand, and even on my shots that I feel at times are pretty heavy, it comes back like just firing.

“He was just everywhere... It's just like playing a wall that you know shoots hundred-mile-an-hour balls at you all the time.”

Ole, Ole, Ole, Ole... SINNER! SINNER! 🎶🇮🇹@InteBNLdItalia | #IBI25 pic.twitter.com/qFzD9jPWo7

— ATP Tour (@atptour) May 15, 2025

Casper Ruud received the loudest cheer of the night when he held his serve to win his only game against Jannik Sinner. Despite the one-sided loss, Ruud enjoyed watching Sinner's dominant performance.

“It doesn't feel so bad, honestly. I think it was more fun than anything,” Ruud said, showing admiration for Sinner's exceptional play.

“You just look at the guy and say 'wow this is kind of next-level shit', excuse my language. I don't know what else to say, it was almost fun to witness.

“I was there ready to play, but he was just even readier.”

Jannik Sinner will face Tommy Paul in the semi-finals after his dominant win over Casper Ruud. Paul secured his spot with a 7-6, 6-3 victory over Hubert Hurkacz.

Sinner, the world number one, is focused on the present and not getting ahead of himself. “There's not really a lot to say, I'm very happy, but things can change from one moment to the next,” he said, showing humility as he eyes a potential final against Carlos Alcaraz.

“Tomorrow we have another player. I played against him at the US Open, and it was a very difficult match (won in straight sets). Let's see what I can do tomorrow.”