Casper Ruud shockingly loses at 2023 Mexican Open in Acapulco
ATP
Casper Ruud experienced a shocking loss already in his second match at the 2023 Mexican Open in Acapulco.
The Norwegian player entered the ATP 500 tournament in Acapulco as one of the biggest favorites to win. He was the second seed in the draw, with only the top-seeded Carlos Alcaraz ranked higher than him at the start of the tournament.
But after Alcaraz withdrew from the tournament, Ruud was the highest seed standing, and he had a good chance of winning the trophy at the event, where he reached the quarter-final in 2021.
Back then, he had to withdraw before his quarter-final match against Alexander Zverev, but he certainly wanted to go further in 2023. Unfortunately for him, he ran into an inspired Taro Daniel.
Ruud had issues already in the first round of the tournament when he needed three sets to beat qualifier Guido Andreozzi 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(2), with the Argentinian even having two break points to lead 6-5 in the third set.
Daniel, on the other hand, easily beat J.J. Wolf 6-4, 6-4, but he still wasn't a favorite against the second seed. Ruud seemingly confirmed his favorite status after only three games played, as he went onto a 10-point streak, leading 3-0 early in the match.
But he soon lost his one-break advantage, and after failing to use two break points to lead again, the Norwegian lost the first set 5-7, as his opponent played better when it mattered.
Still, it didn't have to bother the Norwegian player too much, as he was the overwhelmingly better player in the second set. He broke Daniel's serve twice to win the set 6-2 and force the decider.
Shockingly, Ruud wasn't able to follow up on the good second set in the third set, as Daniel was too solid, holding his serve with ease. That was true until 6-5 for Ruud when the Japanese player served to force a tie-break.
The second seed had two match points, but after he couldn't use those chances, Daniel was the better player in the tie-break, winning it 7-5 to win the match 7-5, 2-6, 7-6(5), eliminating the highest-ranked player in the draw.
