Casper RUUD defeats a battling DAVIDOVICH FOKINA, secures spot in Miami’s fourth round

ATP
Monday, 25 March 2024 at 02:26
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Casper Ruud (No. 8) defeated Alejandro Davidovich Fokina (No. 28) with a score of 6-3, 6-4 to advance to the fourth round of the Miami Open. The Norwegian notched his 18th victory of the season and leveled the head-to-head record with the Spanish player at 2-2.
Both players started the first set evenly, with quick service games. Ruud was the first to save a break point and then converted his first opportunity in the fourth game. The 3-times Grand Slam finalist took a 4-1 lead and had a chance to secure a second consecutive break, but Davidovich Fokina held firm under pressure. However, the Spaniard struggled to make inroads on Ruud's serve and ultimately, Ruud claimed the set 6-3.
Both players had a similar first serve percentage (69% for Ruud, 65% for Davidovich Fokina), but Ruud was more effective with his first serve. The world No. 28 adopted an offensive approach in the first set, but Ruud countered well in the rallies without taking too many risks. Davidovich Fokina hit 12 winners and 3 unforced errors, compared to Ruud's 6 winners and 2 unforced errors.
In the second set, Ruud, with a bit more confidence from the lead, went after the points. The Norwegian approached the net more frequently and improved his first serve percentage, but Davidovich Fokina showed resilience on his return and created several break opportunities, which he couldn't capitalize on. With the score at 3-3, Ruud had his first break chance, which proved enough to secure the advantage until 5-3.
Towards the end, Davidovich Fokina had four break opportunities to level the set, but Ruud managed to save each one of them and eventually closed out the match 6-3, 6-4, advancing to the fourth round of the Miami Open. His next opponent will be the winner of the match between Nicolas Jarry (No. 23) and the Brazilian Thiago Seyboth Wild (No. 76).

HARDCOURT WIN #100! 🎉 🇳🇴 Casper Ruud has recorded the milestone 100th hardcourt win of his career with a 6-3 6-4 win over Davidovich Fokina at the #MiamiOpen 🌴👏 And HALF of his hardcourt wins (50) have come at the biggest events—Grand Slams, the ATP Finals and Masters 1000s:

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