Norway’s Casper Ruud says he was almost running on empty after crashing out in the first round of the Japan Open to Jaume Munar.
The US Open runner-up fell 6-3, 6-3, to the Spanish world No.58 in just over 90 minutes at the Ariake Coliseum. It is the first tournament where Ruud has lost his opening match since the Western and Southern Open back in August.
Dropping serve four times in the match and winning less than half of his second service points, Ruud admitted afterwards that his packed schedule in recent weeks had caught up with him. Since the US Open earlier this month, he has played the Davis Cup, Laver Cup, Korean Open and this week in Tokyo.
“I might have pushed a little too much and tried to go for too many tournaments and too many matches in a row but I really wanted to come to Asia and play these tournaments,” he said during his press conference.
“Today I wasn’t able to bring my best level but it’s an experience and a situation I will try to learn from.”
The 23-year-old has played 65 matches so far this season, winning 47 of them. He has won three Tour titles and was runner-up at another three tournaments, including two Grand Slam events. Ruud is the highest-ranked Norwegian player in ATP history.
“It’s been a long summer,” he said.
“I’ve been playing non-stop and I think my body felt it a little bit today – it was tough to get the machinery going.”
As for Munar, he has beaten a top 10 player for only the second time in his career after previously defeating Alexander Zverev back in 2019. A former world No.3 junior player, the Spaniard is a win away from booking a place in his third Tour quarter-final of 2022 after Melbourne and Gstaad. He will play compatriot Pedro Martínez in the next round.
“I think it’s one of the best [wins of my career],” Munar said afterwards. “Casper is a great player. We all know that maybe this is not his best surface, not even mine. But I managed to play the tennis I needed to play today.
“I think it wasn’t a great match but from my side I did what I needed to do. Very happy to be through. Casper is one of the best players in the world right now.”
Elsewhere at the Japan Open, fifth seed Nick Kyrgios produced a clinical performance in what was his first match since losing in the fourth round of the US Open. The Australian eased to a 6-3, 6-1, win over Tseng Chun-Hsin in just over an hour.
Kyrgios’ win occurred on the same day his lawyer submitted a request to Australian courts that his assault case is dismissed for reasons relating to the tennis player’s mental health. His former girlfriend has accused him of assaulting her back in December 2021. The court case will not resume until February next year.
Also through to the second round is Borna Coric, who defeated Thanasi Kokkinakis 6-4, 7-6(4). Meanwhile, Dan Evans battled to a 6-7(3), 6-1, 6-4, win over Radu Albot.
