Casper Ruud secured a very strong victory in the Challenger tournament in Spanish Sevilla. The Norwegian tennis talent beat Japan Taro Daniel 2-0 in sets in the final.
Ruud won the match 6-3, 6-4. He had match point at 6-3 in the second set as well, but the Japanese first saved himself and got to 4-5. Ruud had to wait to own serve game before he could start celebrating at 6-4.
Number 101
Ruud, who impressed by beating Argentine Pedro Cachin in the semifinals, did not seem nervous during the match.
Despite the fact that this was 17-year-old first Challenge tournament, a tournament at the second highest level of the tennis world, he put the Japanese under pressure from the beginning.
23 year old Daniel, ranked No. 101 in the world, was first brought down to 2-4, came back to 3-4, but was brought down again to 3-5. Ruud served to victory in the first set, and the Norwegian tennis talent had thus secured the start he wanted in the final at the gravel in Seville.
According to TV2 commentators Ruud has now jumped to a 270-place in the world rankings.
Source: NTB scanpix / Norway Today
