(Paris) Casper Ruud, world No. 9 and seeded No. 2 in the clay court tournament in Bastad, Sweden, where he was a finalist last year, was soundly beaten 6-3, 6-3 by Brazilian Thiago Monteiro (85)e) as soon as he entered the competition on Wednesday, in the round of 16.
Ruud, a double finalist in 2022 and 2023 at Roland-Garros where he reached the last four again this year, suffered his first defeat against Monteiro, whom he had beaten each time in their three previous meetings.
Very effective on serve – only one break point conceded, and saved, in the entire game –, the Brazilian took advantage of Ruud’s relative weakness in this exercise to steal his serve three times and win in 1 hour 28 minutes.
Ruud is still in the doubles race, where he is partnering for the first time with the Spaniard Rafael Nadal. They were both due to face the pair Theo Arribagé (FRA)/Roman Safiullin (RUS) in the quarter-finals this afternoon.