Ruud manages Monfils 6-4, 6-2, 2-6, 7-6 to achieve US The third round opens
Casper Ruud of Norway achieved a career high rank of #2 and was a finalist in 2022 US Open (l. Alcaraz). While he suffered a temporary loss of form last season and dropped out of the top ten, he has reasserted his position with two titles this season and is ranked and first 8th. The twenty-five-year-old me 12 career titles is still looking for his first Grand Slam title, also reaching that stage twice at Roland Garros (2022 & 2023).
France’s Gael Monfils is widely regarded as one of a handful of extremely talented players who never won a Grand Slam. The extremely athletic and versatile Frenchman achieved a career-high ranking of #6 IN 2016 and is currently ranked #45. He will soon be thirty-eight years old 12 Career titles reached the semi-finals at US Open inside 2016 (b. Djokovic).
This was their third tournament-level meeting, having split the previous two. Ruud prevailed in a close three-man match last March on the tough courts of Indian Wells.
Monfils won the shot, served first and with three spectacular winners held for 1-0 while Ruud hit an ace out and held 15 to level. Open monfils with a colossal wide serving and a large transverse foreword, lovingly held for 2-1.
The square is missing 3/6 first serve but held in 30 to equalize with a bubbly backhand down the line and a netted forehand from the Frenchman. With sneakers clattering smoothly in the stands, Monfils double-faulted, faced a break point after a Ruud forehand winner and dropped serve with a wrong-hander.
ACCOMPANIED PRESS
Ruud did 3/4 first serve and enjoyed consolidating the break as Monfils hit three winners including two aces and held for 3-4. Ruud did 4/5 first serve including an ace in the point game to lead 5-3.
Monfils served to stay in the match and with his third ace, it held 15 ABOUT 4-5. of 2022 US Became the open finalist 3/4 first serves and secured the set in love.
Monfils served first in the second and dropped serve after three unforced errors including two double faults. Ruud continued to follow the baseline and dictate the game. He hit a spectacular tweener only to see Monfils rip a winning forehand down the line. He regained the advantage and consolidated the break after three ground errors by his opponent.
Monfils hit two extra aces in the final point of the game to get on the board. Ruud won a fascinator 15– shot in the rally when Monfils misfired and was held in love for 3-1 with an incredible inside-out front.
Monfils scored twice with backhand volleys, but with an ace up the tee, it held for him 30 ABOUT 2-3. Ruud served up two back-to-back forehand errors to open the sixth but held on for 4-2 with a serve plus one and two thunderous returns from his opponent.
Monfils lost 6/8 First serve including two double faults and though he hit an ace to save break point, he dropped serve after breaking a lead down the line. Ruud’s serve for the set opened with a brilliant backhand volley winner and closed with two back-to-back unreturnable serves.
Monfils had a mild meltdown, but it was not immediately clear why the referee issued a warning for a time violation. Monfils continued to complain and beg the chairman to reconsider and explain his reasoning. Soon after, the supervisor appeared and the conversations continued.
Once the dust settled and the Frenchman decided to play, the errors started to fly, but he managed to regroup and hold three deuces and two break points.
Ruud looked frustrated by his inability to convert and quickly faced two break points and dropped serve. The crowd in the stands were now chanting “Monfils” as he came out to serve. He opened with an errant shot but consolidated the break with three straight winners, including his ninth ace.
Ruud turns into a habit in the service, done 5/6 first serves and is held for 1-3 with a short one in the box as Monfils opened with a blistering backhand on the line and held dear for 4-1.
The Norwegian succeeded 40-0 walking the baseline and taking out winners from both hands, but faced deuces before holding for 2-4 with a fantastic volley across.
Monfils opened the seventh with his tenth ace and three more winners, including another ace, held 15 ABOUT 5-2. Ruud serving to stay in the group with new balls succumbed to the relentless barrage from his opponent and conceded the game and set. 2-6.
Monfils opened the fourth with a double fault, faced a triple break point and dropped serve when Ruud dropped a forehand inside. Ruud, with a renewed sense of urgency, opened with a brilliant inside forehand, but as the winners zipped, faced two deuces, a break point and dropped serve.
Monfils opened the third with a double fault and although he gave away another, he managed to consolidate the break for 2-1. Ruud did 6/6 first serves but it wasn’t enough as he faced break point with an errant forehand and dropped serve when Monfils pressed a backhand cross.
The crowd preparing for a five-a-side game and an all-nighter held their breath as Monfils failed to capitalize on his improved level and momentum. Soon the thirty-eight-year-old opened the fifth with a double fault and with another and a net forehand, he got the break back. Ruud lost 4/4 first serve, hit a second serve ace and held to love to consolidate the break and level at three.
Monfils continues to play at an extremely fast clip, lost 5/8 first serve and faced deuce but held for 4-3 with an ace and a return scored. Ruud missed a double break point when he scored a potential court advantage.
With lightning and rain on the way, play was temporarily halted 9:11 in the afternoon. The players returned to the field 10:53 afternoon and resumed play at 11: pp. m. Ruud held 15 ABOUT 4-4 with one 126mph ace to the tee.
Monfils committed three unforced errors, including his own 13double fault and faced deuce but held 5-4 when Ruud missed the return. the world #8 served to stay in the set and fall to love with a monster serve out wide as Monfils fell to love with two aces in a row.
Ruud opened with an ace up the tee and a tremendous lead down the line that held to force the tiebreak. The French were quickly down 0-4 after three errors on the ground and a poor execution up top. Ruud reached the match point in the 6-1 and won the toss, set up the match three points later with a wonderful edge at the line.
Ruud survived an unpredictable and extremely talented opponent in challenging conditions to reach the third round for the third time. A tricky opponent awaits; Just nineteen years old, Juncheng Shang has been making noise this season and on the grounds of the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
In the opening round, he defeated 27seed Alexander Bublik in five. The Beijing southpaw is currently a few points away from his career high of #73 and will take over 2022 first time finalist with a coveted place in the round of sixteen on his first main draw appearance
