Ruud struggles but manages to advance to second round in Acapulco

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Casper Ruud struggled but beat Guido Andreozzi 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(2) on Tuesday to advance to the second round of the Abierto Mexicano de Tenis.

The 24-year-old Norwegian, seeded second in Acapulco, took nearly three hours to defeat the Argentine, who is ranked 342nd in the world, and will now face Japan’s Taro Daniel, who beat American JJ Wolf 6-4 , 6 -4.

It is the second time that Ruud, who has won three titles and reached the final of Roland Garros and the US Open in 2022, has taken part in the Mexican tournament of his career. A few years ago, he reached the quarter-finals.

Earlier, Holger Rune defeated American Ben Shelton 6-7(7), 6-4, 6-2 to advance to the second round.

The Dane, 10th in the world and 4th seed in Mexico, will now face the winner of the match between Portuguese Nuno Borges and American Nick Chapell.

Taylor Fritz beat John Isner 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 in a duel between American rackets and will face Canadian Denis Shapovalov, who beat the Serbian 6-7 (4), 6-0, 7-5 Miomir Kecmanovic.

In another duel between the Americans, Michael Mmoh prevailed 7-6 (3), 6-1 against Marcos Girón and awaits the winner of the match between the Ecuadorian Emilio Gómez and the also American Tommy Paul.

Also, Spaniard Feliciano López advanced to the second round beating American Christopher Eubanks 7-6(3), 6-4.

Lopez, who accepted a wild card, will face Francis Tiafoe of the United States, who beat Yoshihito Nishioka of Japan 7-6 (6), 6-4.