Casper Ruud accomplishes unique feat following quarterfinal win at Madrid Open, joins Rafael Nadal on exclusive list

Norwegian tennis star Casper Ruud appears to undergoing a resurgence of sorts as he advanced to the semifinals of the 2025 Madrid Open. The former World No.2 added another accolade to his resume on Thursday, as he defeated Daniil Medvedev in the quarterfinals.

The Oslo native is yet to drop a set at the Caja Magica, and kept the momentum going with a 6-3 7-5 win over Medvedev. After a disappointing start to the clay season where he dropped significant points at Monte-Carlo and Barcelona, the 14th seed looks ready to take on all challengers.

The 26-year old’s match on Thursday was his seventh quarterfinal at a clay court ATP Masters 1000 event, and also his seventh win. After beating Medvedev, Ruud joins an exclusive club of just three men to win his first seven Masters quarter-finals on clay since the format was introduced in 1990.

The only other two men to accomplish such a feat are Argentine Guillermo Coria and 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal. Being one of the best clay court players during his era, Coria won his first seven Masters 1000 clay court quarterfinals. The former World No.3 won the Monte-Carlo Masters title in 2004.

Not much needs to be said about Nadal, who is regarded as the greatest clay court player of all time. The Spaniard won his first 23 ATP Masters 1000 quarterfinals, before losing to compatriot David Ferrer at the 2014 Monte-Carlo Masters.