BUENOS AIRES, February 17, 2020
Casper Ruud claimed his maiden trophy on the ATP Tour by winning the Argentina Open in Buenos Aires. The 21-year-old from Norway defeated Portuguese lucky loser Pedro Sousa 6-1, 6-4 in Sunday’s singles final of the ATP 250 clay-court event.
Ruud won 84 per cent of his first-service points and broke his opponent, who had his left leg heavily wrapped, three times to seal victory in one hour and 10 minutes.
RUUD AWAKENING 🙌
🇳🇴 @CasperRuud98 is the 2020 @ArgentinaOpen champion!
🎥 : @TennisTV pic.twitter.com/chybjwpaAJ
— ATP Tour (@atptour) February 16, 2020
“I knew that my opponent was not 100 per cent, but those kinds of issues are part of the game. I went out to win the match and the tournament,” said Ruud, who has become the first player from his country to win an ATP Tour tournament. The youngster was successful on the ATP Challenger Tour before, as he clinched the 2016 Copa Sevilla trophy.
“I feel a great sensation now. It is what all players look for and dream. I am very happy with my career, although I know that I am still young. Buenos Aires will always be a special place for me, this is my first title.”
Casper, son of former professional and World No. 39 Christian, pocketed in South America $102,535 in prize money as well as 250 ATP Ranking points. Casper surpassed his father as the highest-ranked Norwegian ever, as he climbed to a career-best World No. 34 on Monday.
Granollers/Zeballos lift doubles trophies
Later in the day, top seeds Marcel Granollers of Spain and Argentine Horacio Zeballos battled through the doubles final, saving three championship points before defeating home favourites Guillermo Duran and Juan Ignacio Londero 6-4, 5-7, 18-16 in one hour and 46 minutes.
“It was crazy, it was a spectacular battle. They raised their level and it ended up being a high-level match,” Zeballos said.
“We played a set and a half very well and won the game at the end,” Granollers added. “In doubles that happens, it is a format that is a lottery. We have endured well, fighting every point until the end.”
