Mexican Open: Ruud struggles in 2023 continue with second round loss to Daniel

Taro Daniel edged out Casper Ruud 7-5, 2-6, 7-6 (5) for his first ever top 10 win

Casper Ruud at the Mexican Open in Acapulco Image Credit: AI/ Reuters/ Panoramic

Haresh Ramchandani

March 2, 2023

Abierto Mexicano Telcel presentado por HSBC •Round of 16 • completed

See draw

T. DanielvsC. Ruud

World No 4 Casper Ruud‘s slow start to the 2023 season continued on Wednesday as the Norwegian was knocked out of the Mexican Open by Japanese qualifier Taro Daniel in the second round.

Daniel, ranked No 125 in the world, scored the first top 10 win of his career, with a 7-5, 2-6, 7-6 (5) over the No 2 seed at the Princess Mundo Imperial in Acapulco on Wednesday. The Japenese player was 0-8 against top 10 players prior to Wednesday.

“I think every time these victories feel more like my own. The first time I beat Djokovic, it felt a little bit like he was not playing very well,” Daniel said as quoted by the ATP Tour. “But this time I felt like I was really playing against Casper at a high level. I mean obviously he’s still coming back, he’s a bit rusty and all that. But still, I had to win it.

Daniel will face Australian Alex De Minaur, the No 8 seed, in the quarter-finals next. The Japanese won against American J.J. Wolf (6-4, 6-4) in the previous round of the Acapulco Open.

The moment @tarodaniel93 notched his biggest career win by ranking 🔥@AbiertoTelcel #AMT2023 pic.twitter.com/XtARRjTNrY
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) March 2, 2023

In the previous round of the Acapulco Open, Ruud edged out Argentinian qualifier Guido Andreozzi (6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (2)). The Norwegian, who reached the finals at two of the four Grand Slams in 2022, is now only 3-4 for the 2023 season following his latest defeat.

Acapulco ATP500, other second-round matches (Princess Mundo Imperial, hard, USD 2,013,940):