Casper Ruud is into the second round of the 2023 French Open after a 6-4 6-3 6-2 victory over young Swede Elias Ymer in the first round.
Whilst never truly stretched, 2022 finalist Ruud had to be on his toes against a dangerous opponent in the first set, but eventually found the break he needed to take the opener.
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He broke Ymer in the first game of the second and when a further break shortly followed to move 4-1 up it certainly looked like the match might become a formality.
But Ymer dug deep and broke back and held, putting the onus on Ruud to serve out if he wanted the set. But Ruud went one better, breaking again to take the second set 6-3.
Again Ymer refused to go down quietly, producing a break and hold to go 2-0 up.
The pair exchanged breaks early in the third but then Ruud stepped up the pace and broke again. Again Ymer got a break off his opponent but he couldn’t stop Ruud from eventually taking the set and with it the match.
Ruud will face the winner of Alexander Bublik and Giulio Zeppieri.
More to follow…
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