Ice Man Ruud heats up and demolishes Mannarino, ending thrilling Day 1 at UTS Guadalajara

Casper Ruud played perfectly against Adrian Mannarino in the final match on Friday night at UTS Guadalajara.

Casper Ruud UTS Guadalajara 2025 | © UTS

February 15, 2025

Two-time UTS semi-finalist Casper Ruud aka “The Iceman” is in Guadalajara aiming high. The former world No 2 has cut his teeth at fast-paced UTS competition over the years, and he used his experience against debutant Adrian Mannarino – aka “Manna” in the nightcap match on Friday at the Centro Panamericano de Tenis.

Mannarino gave it his best shot but he was no match for Ruud on this night. The Norwegian ran away with a convincing 19-8, 14-13, 18-7 triumph.

“It was a lot of fun,” Ruud said after the contest, which was played in front of an energized crowd that lingered long after the match to seek autographs from the world No 5. “Second quarter was really tight – I was down.

“It was just very fun, so many fans here, it’s amazing. Mexicans are great fans!”

Ruud’s victory ends an exciting opening day in Guadalajara, that was played in front of a packed house of enthusiastic fans that were excited to see top ATP stars in their city.

day 1 standings: top seeds at the top

No 1-seeded Casper Ruud and No 2-seeded Tomas Machac moved to the top of the table and they are in pole position to compete for the title ahead of a super Saturday that will feature eight more matches (two for each player)

Group A

Casper Ruud 1-0, +23
Fabio Fognini 1-0, +4
Richard Gasquet, 0-1, -4
Adrian Mannarino, 0-1, -23

Group B

Tomas Machac 1-0, +17
Flavio Cobollo 1-0, +12
Jakub Mensik 0-1, -12
David Goffin, 0-1, -17

First quarter: Ruud with attitude

The Frenchman’s response at the end of a lopsided first quarter told its story: “I hope Casper misses a little bit more,” he said, hopefully.

Truth be told it was an impressive display from the Norwegian. He pounded the ball relentlessly and was on top of every rally. Vintage tennis from one of the world’s best.

Second quarter: a seesaw

Manno‘s wishes came true in the second quarter, and he stepped out to an 8-5 lead with two minutes and 30 seconds left, a chance to level the match staring him in the face.

But things happen fast in UTS. Sometimes too fast. 90 seconds later Ruud had completely erased the deficit and led 11-8 after winning a brilliant point that featured a Mannarino tweener, volleyed away neatly by Ruud.

Mannarino wasn’t quite done. He executed on his three-pointer to tie things up at 11 but dropped the next two points and the quarter, 14-13, when Ruud ripped a service winner on deciding point.

Casper Ruud Guadalajara 2025 UTS | Casper Ruud UTS Guadalajara 2025 | © UTS

Third quarter: an exclamation point!

The DJ was playing Vanilla Ice’s “Ice Ice baby” and “Manna” had no chance at slowing “The Ice Man” down. When Ruud tattooed a smash for 12-4 there were just two minutes left. Not nearly enough time for the Frenchman to put even the remotest bit of scoreboard pressure on his foe. This one ended just as it began: with Casper Ruud in the driver’s seat.

With the win Ruud improves to 9-5 overall in UTS matches.