Back in competition after a knee injury, Casper Ruud won in Gstaad (7-5, 7-6 (6)) against the Swiss Dominic Stricker.
The Norwegian Casper Ruud had not replayed in competition since May 28 and a defeat in the second round of Roland-Garros against the Portuguese Nuno Borges (6-2, 4-6, 1-6, 0-6). Wounded in the knee, he was at forced rest. This Wednesday, the 13th world player returned to Switzerland during the GSTAAD tournament. A successful return for those who won twice (2021, 2022), already, this ATP 250.
Same from the tournament, Ruud was opposed to the premises Dominic Stricker. A not easy tour for the Norwegian, in difficult weather conditions, as he was able to mention at the end of the game. “It was a very hard match. I have already lost against him in Switzerland, so I wanted to take my revenge. I am used to weather conditions here, in Norway it’s the same we can have all the time the same day. »»
Ruud reassures himself
There was no major objective for Ruud during this school year. Find sensations especially. It was necessary to fight against the left -handed (229th in the world). It is also the Swiss who takes the first Ruud service (3-4). A break quickly erased by the Norwegian who wins the first set (7-5) in 49 minutes. The battle continued in the second set. A single break in the Channel to put the assets of Ruud, who does not materialize the opportunity. The two men go to the tie-break and stricker even offers two set balls. Ruud saves them with authority and take advantage of a direct fault from Stricker (29 in the match) to conclude (7-6 (6)).
Thanks to a good quality of first ball (80 % of points after the first and 9 aces), Ruud, which conceded only two break balls in the match (1/2), joined the quarter -finals. “He plays tennis without being afraid, it’s not easy. I am very happy to have returned, it is an important victory for me, “said Ruud after the match. He waits for David Goffin or Juan Manuel Cerundolo, who will have to end their meeting this Thursday.
