ATP Tour news: Casper Ruud delighted with ‘perfect start’ to his 2022

World No 8 Casper Ruud was thrilled to get his 2022 ATP Tour underway with victory the Argentina Open in Buenos Aires on Sunday.
Norway’s Ruud rallied back from a poor start to defeat local favourite and defending champion Diego Schwartzman 5-7 6-2 6-3 to win his seventh ATP Tour event.
Tellingly the 2020 Argentina Open, two short years ago, was the first ATP Tour tournament that the Norwegian won. He added five titles to his collection in a breakout 2021.
Ruud has won all but one of his ATP Tour titles on clay.
His 2021 Wimbledon run to the quarterfinal remains his best performance at a Grand Slam.
He withdrew from the Australian Open after sustaining an injury in training but restarted his year in earnest in Beunos Aires with his sixth ATP title on clay.
“It means a lot,” Ruud said. “I think this is the perfect start and it will give me confidence for the rest of the season and also for the next weeks when I am here in South America.”
Ruud said that he felt like he was defending his 2020 title after he missed the 2021 event due to travel restrictions.
“Coming into the week, I was here to try to defend the title not from last year but 2020 … if I didn’t defend it, I would have lost points in the rankings,” Ruud added.
“I was a bit nervous and it was the first time I had to do this in my career. I was successful so it feels very good and it’s good to have the trophy in my hands like I had two years ago.”
Ruud has been afforded a first round bye as the second seed at this week’s Rio Open and will face the winner of the match between Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo and Frenchman Benoit Paire.
This week Ruud finds himself in the same half of the draw with Schwartzman whom he will meet in the semifinal provided both men reach that stage.
Latest
-
French Open
Irina-Camelia Begu cops biggest fine so far at 2022 French Open after ‘unacceptable’ incident
Irina-Camelia Begu lucky not to be disqualified, but not so lucky with the fine.
-
French Open
Rafael Nadal produces his ‘best match’ at 2022 French Open, up next Felix Auger-Aliassime and Uncle Toni
Rafael Nadal edges closer to potential Novak Djokovic showdown.
-
French Open
Novak Djokovic striving for perfection and more aggression after easing into Roland Garros fourth round
Novak Djokovic marches on at Roland Garros.
-
French Open
Belinda Bencic fumes at umpire over time violation during defeat to Leylah Fernandez at Roland Garros
It’s Leylah Fernandez v Amanda Anisimova up next at Roland Garros.
-
French Open
Exclusive – Why Carlos Alcaraz could be a hybrid of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic
Annabel Croft says Carlos Alcaraz has taken the best elements of Nadal, Djokovic and Federer to build his game.
-
French Open
Novak Djokovic ‘is back’ says John McEnroe as he makes world No 1 ‘very slight’ favourite for Roland Garros title
John McEnroe tipping Novak Djokovic to win the 2022 French Open.
-
Wimbledon
Daniil Medvedev insists ‘if I can play Wimbledon I will be happy to be there, even without points’
Daniil Medvedev would jump at the chance to play at Wimbledon.
-
Tennis News
Nick Kyrgios has ‘bigger fish to fry’ after Bernard Tomic challenges him ‘sort this out in the boxing ring’
Nick Kyrgios and Bernard Tomic won’t be stepping into a boxing ring any time soon.
-
French Open
Irina-Camelia Begu escapes disqualification after ’embarrassing moment’ left young fan in tears
“I just want to apologise,” says Irina-Camelia Begu.
-
Wimbledon
Wimbledon to finally ditch the ‘Miss’ and ‘Mrs’ prefixes on its famous honours boards as it modernises
Welcome to 2022 Wimbledon.