EXPECT some intriguing finals in Switzerland and Croatia as the Swiss Open and Croatia Open finish up overnight, while in Mexico it was number one seed Brit Cameron Norrie who claimed the Mifel Open title.

In Gstaad, Norwegian Casper Ruud downed qualifier Vit Kopriva to earn his spot in the Swiss Open final with a speedy 6-3 6-0 victory in 74 minutes. Coming in straight off the back of a Nordea Open title last week, Ruud was more consistent throughout with a 79 per cent win rate off his first serve and fired on all cylinders against the Czech talent.

“I have been having high motivation and a good mentality these past few weeks,” Ruud said. “It is the last chance I get to play on clay before the clay season is done for me. I am playing good tennis with good intensity. The ball is bouncing really high, and with the high altitude. It suites me well.”

Ruud will take on French left-hander Hugo Gaston for the title, after the Frenchman overcame seventh seed Serbian Laslo Djere, 3-6 6-3 6-3 to reach his maiden tour-level final.

“I am excited,” Ruud said. “It is not always you are playing in finals, so it is a special feeling. I need to think what I did well the last time in Switzerland in Geneva, which was also against a lefty and a young player. It will be a tough match, Gaston is young and I will have to be on the top of my game to have a chance.”

Gaston impressed throughout his semi final clash, earning a place in his maiden tour-level final in one hour and 50 minutes. Despite dropping the opening set, Gaston recovered well to race through the remainder of the clash.

“I tried to take more time with my game,” Gaston said. “I made a lot of mistakes in the first set, so I tried to change my game. My serve was better in the second and third set. I am really happy to be in the final. It is going to be a good match, but I will try and enjoy [this] moment.”

In Croatia, teenager Carlos Alcaraz continues to make his mark with a straight sets dismissal of compatriot Albert Ramos-Vinolas, claiming a huge 6-2 7-6(3) victory. The seventh seed 18-year-old is the youngest ATP Tour finalist since 2008, overcoming the top seed in just under two hours. He will take on veteran Richard Gasquet in the final, with a whopping 17-year age gap between the two competitors.

“I have a lot of emotions right now,” Alcaraz said. “It is my first ATP final, so I am enjoying everything here in Umag. I am really happy right now.”

Gasquet’s ride to the final was not easy, fighting hard to overcome German qualifier Daniel Altmaier, who worked in overdrive throughout the 7-6 3-6 6-3 clash. Gasquet only converted three of his 17 break point opportunities but saved seven of 10 on his way to the three hour and 11-minute victory.

SWISS OPEN SEMI FINALS RESULTS:

[3] Casper Ruud (NOR) defeated [Q] Vit Kopriva (CZE) 6-3 6-0
Hugo Gaston (FRA) defeated [7] Laslo Djere (SRB) 3-6 6-3 6-3

CROATIA OPEN SEMI FINALS RESULTS:

[7] Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) defeated [1] Albert Ramos-Vinolas (ESP) 6-2 7-6
[4] Richard Gasquet (FRA) defeated [Q] Daniel Altmaier (GER) 7-6 3-6 6-3

MIFEL OPEN FINAL RESULT:

[1] Cameron Norrie (GBR) defeated Brandon Nakashima (USA) 6-2 6-2

Picture credit: Swiss Open Gstaad