Casper Ruud Proves His Role as the Top Seed

04.06.2019 17:07:04 | Norwegian Casper Ruud (ranking 63rd in ATP) is the top seed at MONETA Czech Open tournament. He played a tough match against Corentin Denolly of France in the first round: he lost the first set, was leading in the second set 4:2, 5:3 and then he turned the match. What did Ruud say about the match?

“It was a tough match. I played an opponent I hardly knew anything about which is always tricky. I was too impatient at the beginning and wanted a little too much. That was why I made many mistakes. But then I settled down. I broke the opponent’s serve in the second set and gained some confidence. I played more simple instead of going for winners at all cost. I kept improving and felt very well at the end.

Ruud dominated over his opponent in the third set. Did he find a recipe for the victory?
“Yes, I kind of understood his game better and managed to take advantage of it. However, I was also more confident and played much better in the last set as compared to the first one. Even though the beginning was not great at my part I was leaving the court feeling great after the two good sets.

Ruud is going to meet Šafránek in the next round. What does he expect from the match?
“I’ve already played Šafránek once but he had to retire owing to an injury. I don’t know him very well. In any case it will be a tough match and I have to get ready for it.“