Ruud recovers to stay on track in Paris

Casper Ruud moved closer to a repeat of his 2022 final at the French Open as the fourth seed held off Chile’s Nicolas Jarry 7-6 (3), 7-5, 7-5 to reach a second straight quarter-final on Monday.

The Norwegian who lost to Rafael Nadal in the title match a year ago recovered from a break down in the second and third sets.

Ruud improved to 15-5 on clay with the win in just under three and a half hours.

“I managed to do well, down a break in the last two sets,” the winner said. “I was able to stay in, neutraise his big serve and win the most important point of the match.

‘”I hope I can stay here for one more week.”

Ruud started by winning an eight-minute opening game, finally holding after four deuces and breaking for a 3-0 lead before Jarry found his early  stride.

The South American recovered the break and forced the set to a tiebreaker, which Ruud won.

The Norwegian fourth seed had to reel his opponent back in after trailing 4-1 in the second set, with Ruud breaking twice and taking a 6-5 lead.

He grabbed a two-sets-to-love lead with a serve which Jarry could not handle with more than two hours on the clock.

Ruud saved three break points in the fourth game of the third set to level, 2-2, but was broken for 2-4.

He broke for 6-5 as Jarry missed a smash and wrapped up the afternoon a game later on a first match point.

Main photo:- Casper Ruud wins fourth round match by Roger Parker International Sports Fotos Ltd