Ruud, Popyrin Lead #NextGenATP Charge Sunday At Roland Garros
A pair of #NextGenATP stars made a good start to the year’s second Grand Slam on Sunday, as Norwegian Casper Ruud and Aussie Alexei Popyrin advanced to the second round at Roland Garros.
Ruud dismissed former World No. 10 and 2014 semi-finalist Ernests Gulbis 6-2, 7-6(2), 6-0 in two hours and 13 minutes.
“It was a good match, especially a good start. It was crucial to win the second set, I think. It was tough, that tie-break. I think that broke him a little bit and I gained a lot of confidence and energy after winning the second set and it showed in the third set,” Ruud said. “I didn’t play unreal, but I just made a lot of balls and he was missing more and more. It was a very good start, and a tough second set, but overall I’m very happy with the match.”
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The 20-year-old is into the second round on the Parisian terre battue for the second straight year, having won a five-setter in 2018 against Aussie Jordan Thompson after coming through qualifying. Last year at Roland Garros, Ruud was No. 157 in the ATP Rankings. Now, he’s at a career-high No. 63, having reached his first ATP Tour final on Houston’s red clay earlier this year.
“It’s a very big deal for all the players to play Slams. Last year I played three qualies matches as well, so you also get a bit tired from that,” Ruud said. “It’s much more comfortable to be straight in the main draw and you can focus on your body and be prepared well. Last year I won four matches here, including qualies, so if I would be able to win four matches this year as well I would be very happy.”
Ruud will next play 29th seed Matteo Berrettini, who beat Spaniard Pablo Andujar 6-7(3), 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 in three hours and 28 minutes. The Italian fittingly beat Gulbis last year en route to the third round, his deepest run yet at a Grand Slam.
Popyrin battled past fellow #NextGenATP player Ugo Humbert 3-6, 6-3, 7-6(10), 6-3 in two hours and 52 minutes. It was a strong Roland Garros debut for the 19-year-old Aussie, who reached the third round at the Australian Open in January. He will next face 31st seed Laslo Djere or Spaniard Albert Ramos-Vinolas.
from Tennis - ATP World Tour http://bit.ly/2Wl87fV
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