At Roland Garros, Casper Ruud continued his impressive streak in first-round matches, extending his record to 8-0 with a convincing victory over Albert Ramos-Vinolas. Ruud’s 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 win marks another step in his pursuit of a Grand Slam title, as he aims to improve on his past two finalist appearances in Paris.
Following his triumph, Ruud paid homage to the legendary Rafael Nadal, who received an emotional tribute at the tournament the previous day. While Ruud did not witness the presentation of a permanent plaque on Court Philippe-Chatrier live, he acknowledged the significance of Nadal’s achievements, stating, “His record will stand unbeaten for many years to come, if not forever.” Ruud, who fondly recalls his encounters with Nadal, remarked, “The Philippe-Chatrier Court is like Rafa’s backyard,” emphasizing the Spaniard’s incredible prowess on the clay surface.
After clinching his first ATP Masters 1000 title in Madrid last month, Ruud is entering this year’s tournament with a robust 24-7 record at Roland Garros. He has proven his dominance on clay, leading all players with 129 tour-level wins on the surface since 2020. Looking ahead, Ruud is seeded for a potential quarter-final clash with defending champion Carlos Alcaraz, a matchup that promises to be a thrilling contest.
In addition to Ruud’s success, American Sebastian Korda and Australia’s Alexei Popyrin also advanced in the tournament. Korda overcame Luciano Darderi in four sets, while Popyrin progressed when Yoshihito Nishioka retired after trailing in their match.
The atmosphere surrounding Roland Garros remains charged with anticipation and nostalgia this year, particularly with Nadal’s retirement marking the end of an era. Ruud and other players now have the opportunity to carve out their own legacies on the hallowed courts of Paris, inspiring fans and fellow competitors alike.