(Paris) The Norwegian Casper Ruud, finalist of Roland-Garros last year, was solid to get rid of the Italian Giulio Zeppieri (129e) 6-3, 6-2, 4-6, 6-4, Thursday, and advance to the third round of the tournament.
He will face for a place in the round of 16 the winner of the match between the Chinese Zhizhen Zhang (71e) and Argentinian Thiago Agustin Tirante (153e).
Rudd, 4e world player, had to work to dismiss Zeppieri, an opponent who went through the qualifications who offered him a good resistance for 3 h 4 min of the match. The Italian even broke with an overpowered forehand when Ruud was looking to end the game (5-5).
In vain finally since Ruud, still looking for his first Grand Slam title after his two finals last season, Porte d’Auteuil then at the United States Open, took over the service of his opponent in stride (6- 5).
Zeppieri felt pain in his right thigh during that game, calling a doctor to massage it, then couldn’t defend his chances properly afterwards.