Casper Ruud emerged victorious in a thrilling encounter against Holger Rune on Day 1 of UTS Oslo. Despite Norway’s usual preference for winter sports, the country’s tennis fans showed their equal love for the sport during the match. Ruud, a native of Norway, was pleasantly surprised by the warm reception and overwhelming support he received from the crowd throughout the game.
After an intense battle, Casper Ruud secured a 6-21, 14-13, 17-12, 13-12 victory. The UTS matches are divided into quarters, and Ruud initially struggled in the first quarter, trailing by a significant margin of 15 points. However, he quickly turned the tide and emerged triumphant by winning the next three quarters. The continuous noise and unwavering support from the crowd undoubtedly played a significant role in motivating Ruud.
Expressing his thoughts on the match, Ruud admitted to feeling extremely nervous before facing Holger Rune. The unprecedented experience of playing in front of such a passionate home crowd added to his anxiety. Nevertheless, he was elated to have emerged victorious in front of his fellow countrymen.
Reflecting on the game, Ruud shared, “I was a little bit nervous, perhaps more than I anticipated. But it’s only natural considering I had never played in front of a crowd like this in Norway. To have such an incredible atmosphere at home was an indescribable feeling.”
Prior to UTS Oslo, Casper Ruud participated in the Australian Open. He achieved notable victories over Albert Ramos-Vinolas and Max Purcell in the first two rounds. However, his journey came to an end in the third round with a loss against Cameron Norrie. Ruud’s next appearance will be in the ATP 250 event in Los Cabos, commencing on February 19th.
According to the Source firstsportz.com