With the figures 6-4, 1-6, 6-2, 6-2, Casper Ruud reached the spherical of 16, which will probably be performed on Monday. The sport lasted two hours and 46 minutes and solely completed shut to 1 o’clock on Sunday evening.
The 24-year-old Ruud’s opponent performed to 18 break factors, six of which have been wins, however ultimately he needed to lose to the Norwegian for the third time in as many matches.
For the second sport in a row, he complained that the ball boys have been dragging the balls alongside the gravel. Further gravel on the balls makes them heavier, and the balls are slower within the Paris event because of the already cool and humid circumstances.
– Have a look at the balls. They drag them alongside the bottom. Perhaps you need to ask them to cease. It’s already 14 levels and heavy. There are about 15 grams of humor on the balls and it is killing my arms, mentioned a pissed off Ruud to the referee within the second set.
The viewers gaped
Throughout the match, Ruud managed to beat the gang as he determined an amazing change of balls, which included a number of volleys on the web, with a successful shot between the legs.
After that, the followers didn’t let the phrases of reward cease them, and on X some folks wrote that this have to be the perfect match of the event to date.
– I really like tennis. I really like Roland-Garros. However I am unsure if I like taking part in tennis at one within the morning. It is a bit of late, however the followers are right here, so I’ve to be right here. So thank those that got here, says Ruud to the organizer after the sport.
The richest man in Norway in power
Within the sales space sat Gustav Magnar Witzøe – mannequin, billionaire inheritor and the richest man in Norway, together with the tennis participant’s household and coaches.
Ruud is sponsored by Salmar, which is owned by Witzøe’s father, Gustav Witzøe.
Prepared for an additional opponent
The American Taylor Fritz, quantity 12 within the ATP rating, will probably be his subsequent opponent. He defeated Greek Thanasi Kokkinakis in a five-set match that lasted practically 4 hours.
Ruud has met the 26-year-old American as soon as earlier than. He received in a decisive collection match within the group stage of the 2022 ATP Playoffs.
If Ruud wins that match as properly, it is going to possible be a quarter-final towards world primary Novak Djokovic.
Violation upon violation
Etcheverry had already received a deuce on Ruud’s serve within the first sport of the match, but it surely was Ruud who bought three break factors within the subsequent sport at 0-40 and broke for a 2-0 lead.
The benefit did not final lengthy, as within the subsequent sport Ruud’s double fault gave the opponent a break ball and he took benefit. Not one of the gamers have been fully snug in their very own serve, and there have been as many as 5 breaks of serve within the first set.
Ruud broke at 4-2, however Etcheverry broke again because the Norwegian served to tie the set at 5-4. It did not assist a lot, as Ruud broke to win the set 6-4 after 51 minutes.
Norway complained to the referee that there was an excessive amount of gravel on the balls and it was not doable to get a correct velocity on them. He was serving for 1–0 within the 2nd set, however Etcheverry bought the primary break to guide 3–1.
Poor perspective
Etcheverry had many extra break factors than Ruud within the first set, however they used them worse. Within the 2nd set, solely six might break.
Ruud’s serve was 1-0, however then he was damaged 3 times in a row, and Argentina received the set 6-1.
After dropping that crew, apparently struggling a bit together with his temper, Ruud flashed once more within the third set. He instantly broke right into a 1-0 lead and at that stage had received 4 of six break factors within the match, whereas Etcheverry had received 5 of 16.
Between the legs
Ruud then set the gang on hearth by deciding an amazing change of balls, which included a number of volleys on the web, with a successful shot between the legs. By way of 2–0 he had the serve to 4–2 after which broke to five–2 in a sport during which he received 4 factors in a row from 15–40.
Ruud had to surrender a break level earlier than serving dwelling the third set 6-2 on the fourth set level. Within the fourth set, he broke once more within the first try and was higher ultimately.
(© NTB)