LOS CABOS, Mexico, Feb 24, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - Casper Ruud rode a strong start to a 6-4, 7-6 (7/4) victory over defending champion Stefanos Tsitsipas on Friday to reach the final of the ATP hardcourt tournament in Los Cabos, Mexico.

Fourth-seeded Ruud didn't lose a point on his first serve in the opening set, then had to save five set points in the second to seal a straight-sets victory.

The Norwegian will face either top-seeded German Alexander Zverev or eighth-seeded Australian Jordan Thompson in Saturday's final.

"It was a really close match, all in all, especially the second set," Ruud said. "I was fortunate to save a few set points there and hold him off. 

"I was just a bit lucky," added Ruud, who faced set points in each of his last two service games but raced to a 4-0 lead in the tiebreaker and polished things off after one hour and 49 minutes.