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3-0 and the numbers 6-4, 6-3 and 6-1 from the sets suggest that Thiem had a good ride on the way to the fourth round. But behind the numbers is an occasional heroic effort and lots of good tennis from a 21-year-old Norwegian, especially in the first two sets.
Unfortunately, Ruud had poor results on the many break balls he managed to play in the first and second sets.
– In general, Thiem is a little better than Casper in most things. He is a player we admire a lot and we hope Casper will be at that level soon. Although there were losses in three straight sets, there will be many good matches, coach Father Christian Ruud tells Eurosport.
Judge error
On one occasion, Ruud was also hit by a clear referee error. In the first game of the second set, Ruud tried to signal that a Thiem ball had gone off. After inspecting the ball’s meeting place, the referee mastered it from the inside.
The Europsport photos show, however, that Ruud was right and consequently that the referee was wrong.
It ended with Thiem breaking Ruud’s serve in the game in question, after Ruud saved five break balls.
FIGHT: Casper Ruud gave everything he had, but he couldn’t hold out against a better opponent.
Photo: GONZALO FUENTES / Reuters
Thiem Tribute
In the end, however, it cannot be said that the referee’s error was decisive. Because Thiem finally hit the hold and didn’t allow Ruud to get to a single break ball in the third set.
After two hours and 15 minutes, the match ended.
– I am very happy, it was a fantastic match and I was not wrong. And I think Casper is a fantastic player, he plays attractive and there were a lot of good exchanges of the ball. A good match for both of us, says Thiem.
He was prepared for stiff opposition from the young Norwegian.
– He’s very confident, he has played semi-finals in Rome and Hamburg and has been one of the best on clay this year. He has a good attitude from start to finish, so I tried not to give him chances, not even in the third set. And he fought hard until the last ball, sums up Thiem
Worst possible resistance
Although Casper Ruud himself has his greatest strength on gravel, it was by no means unexpected that he made it difficult against Dominic Thiem. The Austrian is called the “prince of gravel”, and is expected to be the one who assumes the position of king of gravel when the Spaniard Rafael Nadal (34) sooner or later unpacks his snowshoes.
The 27-year-old started his professional career in 2011 and since the beginning he has raised almost 27 million euros in prizes.
He entered the French Open championship at number three in the world, among other things after winning the US Open. Thus, the Austrian was a clear favorite before the meeting with Ruud, who is ranked 25 in the world.
In short, Dominic Thiem was one of the worst opponents the great Norwegian talent could find so early in the tournament.
This was the third time that Casper Ruud played in the third round of one of the four Grand Skam tennis tournaments, and the second year in a row in one of those held on clay, Roland-Garros. Ruud’s only ATP victory so far in his career has also come on this surface.
In any case, Ruud brings home 1.4 million and a new experience.
