(Provided by Tennis World USA)
As was expected, Casper Ruud and Nicolas Jarry have reached the Roland Garros third round. The last year’s finalist Ruud took down the young Italian Giulio Zeppieri 6-3, 6-2, 4-6, 7-5 in three hours and four minutes on Court Philippe-Chatrier.
The Italian fired nine aces and played well behind the first serve. He raised his level in the third set and fought well in the fourth, only to lose ground in the closing stages. Casper made the difference with his second serve and saved six out of eight break points.
The Nowergian converted five out of 13 break chances, enough to emerge at the top. Casper grabbed the crucial points at the start of the duel, delivering a break and backing it with three fine holds for 6-3. Ruud took charge in the second set, stealing the rival’s serve in games three and seven to open a 5-2 gap.
Casper closed the set with a service winner in game eight to build a massive advantage in an hour and 24 minutes. The Norwegian denied break points at the start of the third set, and they both served well in the next eight games.
Casper Ruud defeated Giulio Zeppieri in the Roland Garros second round.
Zeppieri led 5-4 and grabbed a break at 15 in game ten after Ruud’s forehand error to force the fourth set. Casper made a fresh start, serving well and earning a break in game five.
Ruud served for the victory at 5-4 and got broken after Zeppieri’s cracking forehand crosscourt winner that leveled the score at 5-5. Giulio asked for a medical timeout in the 11th game on his right thigh and netted a routine forehand to drop serve at 15.
Casper served for the win in game 12 and fired a service winner for a hold at love and a place in the last 32. Nicolas Jarry will play in the third round at Majors for the first time following a 3-6, 6-1, 6-4, 7-5 victory over the 16th seed Tommy Paul.
The Chilean won six points more than the American, playing well in the second set and prevailing in the following two to emerge at the top. Tommy had his chances to extend the battle and win, playing better on the second serve and facing only six break points.
Jarry grabbed five breaks and saved 13 out of 15 break points to bring the victory home. They traded three breaks in the middle of the opener, and Tommy grabbed two to build the lead. Jarry saved two set points on serve in game eight, and Paul closed it in the next one for 6-3.
The Chilean raised his level after an early scare in the second set, taking charge on serve and return to deliver breaks in games two and six and wrap up the set with a hold at love at 5-1. Nicolas denied four break points at 2-3 in the third set and grabbed a break in the next one when Tommy netted a backhand.
The Chilean clinched the set with a hold in game ten, taking two sets to one lead and gaining a boost. The American played better early in the fourth set, serving well and earning break chances in games six and eight. Jarry denied them and broke at 15 at 5-5 for a crucial advantage.
Nicolas served for the victory in game 12 and fired a service winner for a career-best result at Majors.
