Well, it wasn't to be for Jack Draper today - but what a tournament.

You feel a clay-court title won't be too far on the horizon.

Could it be as soon as Rome? The Italian Open starts later this week.

Then it's the big one... Roland Garros.

Whatever happens over the course of the rest of the European clay-court swing, there are exciting times for Jack Draper and British tennis.

See you soon!

Madrid Open runner-up Jack Draper: "Firstly, congratulations to Casper on this win, you really deserve it. You were braver than me in the key moments. Congratulations to you and your team for all the hard work.

"This loss hurts but I also want to thank my own team, my family for all of the support. And thank you for all the fans who come out here to support us, it means so much to all of us who love tennis and love playing in front of you.

"This sport is brutal but I will keep trying, I think this loss will make me better."

Madrid Open champion Casper Ruud on his first Masters title: "It feels great, of course. It's been a long time coming, this is a really big goal that I have dreamed about since I was so young.

"It was a great match, I knew that Jack has been playing so well all year, so I knew I had to bring my A+ game. Jack is an incredible player.

"I owe a lot of my success to my family, my coaches, my friends. I'm surrounded by amazing people, I'm a very lucky guy."

Let's hear from the new Madrid champion...

The pair show their mutual respect in a friendly hug at the net.

Both men know what the other put into that absorbing final. It was a cracker.

Jack Draper will be disappointed, of course.

But he will reflect positively on a clay-court tournament where few would have expected him to challenge for the title.

Draper has arrived on clay, people...

Sensational! Another forehand winner and it's three championship points for Casper Ruud...

Almost a carbon copy... 30-0.

Perfect start. Ruud finds a first serve and sticks away a forehand winner. 15-0...

Here we go then.

Jack Draper must break here.

Casper Ruud serving for the title...

Jack Draper has to take care of his own business - and then hope Casper Ruud feels the pressure.

Draper does exactly that. An impressive hold-to-love is finished with a flowing forehand winner.

All on Ruud's racquet now...

Back all square... in the game. 30-30.

Draper's backhand swarms Ruud and forces a mistake from the baseline.

But the Briton can't build on that as he pushes a return wide of the sideline. He can't believe it's wide.

Game point at 40-30 and Ruud completes the job.

Another very good hold. One more and he's getting his hands on the Madrid Open title...

Casper Ruud, I'd say, looks the slightly sprightlier out there as we hit the business end of the deciding set.

He has clarity of mind to play a delicate dropshot which Draper reaches but is stretching too much to return.

That's 30-0. Oh, then he produces another double fault...

So important that Jack Draper didn't fall a double break down there.

It's still a single break and you wouldn't think it will be easy for Casper Ruud to serve out victory.

Remember, he's never won a Masters title....

If Jack Draper is going to do this, it'll have been the hard way.

Another break point goes the way of Ruud when the British number one puts another backhand into the tramlines, but he saves that and drags himself over the line.

Uh oh. A tired double fault by Draper isn't how he wants to start this vital game.

But he recovers with a wonderful bit of play, lunging across court for a backhand which he whips back the other way.

Quality. Draper's mood takes a turn again when he is docked a first serve for another time violation.

He's so exasperated at Mohamed Lahyani. But Draper recovers to level at 30-30...

Well, this is the perfect way for the Norwegian world number 15 to start.

An imperious hold to 15 - helped by landing more first serves - ensures he backs up the break.

Momentum firmly with Ruud now. Am I convinced he will serve this out with no further twists and turns? Absolutely not.

The pressure finally tells on Draper.

On the second break point of the fifth game - and the fifth he has faced across the past two games - the Brit buckles.

The lefty drags a backhand wide and it puts Ruud ahead.

Saved! Draper is giving as good as he's getting from Ruud in terms of fight and resilience.

But can he save a second break point... Draper is forced out wide by Ruud and slips as he changes direction back into the centre of the court.

Ooh, looks like his knee jarred. Fingers crossed it's nothing too serious.

First he has another break point to defend...