“I’m sorry” – Ruud withdraws from Acapulco due to illness; Pacheco Mendez through to quarter-finals

Mexican wildcard Rodrigo Pacheco Mendez moved into the last eight of the Mexican Open after Norwegian Casper Ruud, the second seed, withdrew before the match at the Arena GNP Seguros in Acapulco on Thursday.

Ruud informed his fans on social media that he picked up stomach illness and couldn’t recover in time to be match-ready.

“I’m so sorry I had to pull out tonight,” the Norwegian wrote on Instagram. “I was hoping to overcome this stomach illness that showed up yesterday and tried everything I could to be able to play tonight, until the very last moment. Hoping to come back stronger in a couple of days and come back here to Mexico next year. Thanks for now, Acapulco!”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Casper Ruud (@casperruud)

Pacheco Mendez, ranked No 356, will face the winner of the match between American Frances Tiafoe, the No 7 seed, and Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich Fokina next.

The 19-year-old Mexican edged out Australian Aleksandar Vukic (7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (4)) in the previous round of the Acapulco tournament.

In the first round of the Acapulco tournament, Ruud, ranked No 5, won against Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech (6-4, 6-3).

Acapulco ATP 500, other second-round results (Arena GNP Seguros, hard, USD 2.585.410, most recent results first):

• Frances Tiafoe vs. Alejandro Davidovich Fokina
• Learner Tien (Q) beat Alexander Zverev (1): 6-3, 6-4
• Brandon Nakashima beat Holger Rune (4): 3-0 ret.
• Denis Shapovalov (9) beat Alex Michelsen: 6-4, 6-3
• David Goffin beat Ben Shelton (5): 7-6 (3), 6-3
• Tomas Machac (8) beat Daniel Altmaier (WC): 7-6 (3), 6-1
• Marcos Giron vs. Tommy Paul

Read also

Zverev stunned by Tien at Mexican Open in latest hit to No 1 chances

Tennis Majors