Fourth-seeded Casper Ruud overcame a first-set setback to record a 4-6, 6-4, 6-1, 6-4 victory over Zhizhen Zhang in the third round of the French Open on Saturday.
Ruud bounced back from the slow start to dispatch the Chinese player in 2 hours and 38 minutes. The 24-year-old Norwegian boasts a 15-4 record at Roland Garros, although he maintains that it hasn’t been easy.
“Every match is stressful, physically and mentally,” Ruud said. “This year is the first year I am coming trying to defend a big result, having made the final last year. I am feeling a little bit more about it and feeling a little bit extra pressure.”
Ruud advanced to set up a clash against Chilean Nicolas Jarry, who moved on to the fourth round at a major for the first time following his 6-2, 6-3, 6-7 (7), 6-3 victory over Marcos Giron.
Sixth-seeded Holger Rune had a much easier time of it on Saturday. The Dane benefited from 35 winners to breeze to a 6-4, 6-1, 6-3 win over Argentine qualifier Genaro Alberto Olivieri.
“I love it every time I step out on this court. It is one of my favorite courts in the world,” Rune said of competing on Court Philippe Chatrier. “I have played some of my best tennis here.”
Rune will meet the winner of the match between No. 9 Taylor Fritz and No. 23 Francisco Cerundolo of Argentina.
No. 15 Borna Coric of Croatia wasn’t as fortunate after being swept by Tomas Martin Etcheverry. The Argentine posted a 6-3, 7-6 (5), 6-2 win to set up a match against 27th-seeded Yoshihito Nishioka of Japan, who notched a 3-6, 7-6 (8), 2-6, 6-4, 6-0 victory over Brazilian Thiago Seyboth Wild.
–Field Level Media
