AUGER-ALIASSIME-RUUD 6-4, 7-5
– It’s an unforced error that we don’t see very often. Disturbing really, said TV 2 commentator Christian Paasche on the score 2–0 to Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime in the second set.
By then, the 23-year-old from Montreal had already secured the first set against Ruud, who was unable to rise to the level we have seen him at in recent weeks.
The Norwegian did not give up in any way, recovered and reduced the score to 2–1 in the second set. In the following game, the Norwegian broke back and equalized at 2–2.
– Incredibly important, exclaimed Paasche.
At 3–2 to the Norwegian in the second set, Auger-Aliassime’s serve was ruled out, but the Canadian challenged the referee’s decision so that he still got the point and the advantage to decide the game. Ruud reacted to the referee’s decision to award the opponent the point instead of the point being replayed.
A clearly frustrated Ruud argued for a long time with the referee to little avail. In the end, Auger-Aliassime also took the game and fought back to 3–3.
The players followed each other closely in the second set, but at 5–5 the Canadian broke Ruud and was able to serve home the match to 7–5 in the second set.
– An unpressured mistake that should not happen at this time, concluded Paasche.
Thus, Ruud is eliminated from the Madrid Open.
