Casper Ruud loses to Juan Manuel Cerundolo in Gstaad

Winner on Wednesday for his return to competition, Casper Ruud was unable to follow up this Friday on the clay courts of Gstaad. The top seed, the Norwegian lost in three sets to Argentine Juan Manuel Cerundolo, ranked 109th in the world (6-2, 1-6, 6-3).

It’s the first time since Wimbledon 2023 that Casper Ruud has lost to a player outside the Top 100. On the London grass, he was defeated in the second round by Briton Liam Broady, who was ranked 142nd in the world at the time.

The Norwegian, currently ranked 13th in the ATP rankings, appeared to have the match under control. After losing the first set, during which he didn’t play particularly well, he bounced back by winning nine of the next ten games to take a 2-6, 6-1, 3-0 lead.

I’m working in the right direction

But then Casper Ruud experienced a major dip in form, and Juan Manuel Cerundolo took full advantage, clawing his way back into the match before decisively seizing control by winning the final six games.

“He was more aggressive than I was, but I managed to hang in there and stayed mentally strong. Coming back to 3-1 in the third set gave me confidence in my game again, and I took that opportunity to cause him more trouble. I’m working in the right direction, the results are coming back, and I’m staying positive,” said the Argentine after his victory.

Thanks to this great week in Switzerland, Juan Manuel Cerundolo is now guaranteed to return to the Top 100 for the first time since October 2023.

Cerundolo, ranked No 109, will face Peruvian qualifier Ignacio Buse next.

Ahead of his victory, the Argentinian beat Belgian David Goffin, the No 6 seed (5-7, 6-4, 6-1) and German Jan-Lennard Struff (6-3, 3-6, 6-3).

Ruud, ranked No 13, won against Swiss wildcard Dominic Stricker (7-5, 7-6 (6)) in the previous round of the Gstaad tournament.

Gstaad ATP 250, other quarter-finals results (Roy Emerson Arena, clay, EUR 596.035, most recent results first):

• Jerome Kym vs. Arthur Cazaux
• Francisco Comesana vs. Alexander Bublik
• Ignacio Buse beat Roman Andres Burruchaga: 6-3, 3-6, 6-1