Casper Ruud is into the Roland Garros quarter-finals for the second consecutive year after battling past Nicolas Jarry 7-6(3) 7-5 7-5.
Last year’s finalist came back from a break down in the last two sets as he grinded his way to the last eight.
Jarry was in control of most of the match but couldn’t sustain his high level against the consistent defence of the fourth seed.
Ruud will now play either Holger Rune or Francisco Cerundolo in the last eight.
The world number four was on the back foot from the beginning of the match as the Chilean brought his aggressive attacking game to Ruud early on.
After saving five break points in the opening game, Ruud proved why he is one of the most clinical players on the tour as he took his first break point opportunity to break for 2-0.
A frustrating start from the Chilean was soon forgotten about after a love hold in the fourth game got him on the board which was followed by a well-deserved break of serve.
It was seventh time lucky for Jarry to remain within touching distance of Ruud as both players produced entertaining rallies and effective patterns of play.
In the twelfth game, Ruud looked for the clinical blow to seal the opening set but the Norwegian couldn’t create a break point opportunity.
Jarry remained clutch and powerful on serve as the first set was decided by a tiebreak.
The tiebreak saw Jarry with all punch but no substance as Ruud’s high quality defence was too much for the Chilean.
First blood went to Ruud after taking the tiebreak 7-3 but the fourth seed would soon go down an early break for 3-1 after committing unforced errors.
The world number 35 found his confidence again and continued to go on the attack, consolidating the break having saved two break points for a 4-1 lead.
It was inevitable though given Jarry’s powerful brand of play that he would commit unforced errors in crucial moments.
That’s what exactly happened as the Chilean failed to take a double break lead, Jarry buckled under pressure on serve handing the break back to the stubborn Norwegian.
Ruud completed three games in a row and continued to use counter-attacking style to test Jarry’s consistency.
A clinical end of the set was sealed as Ruud grinded away to break for a 6-5 lead and saved two break points to hold for the set.
The third set was deja vu for Jarry as he went a break up for 4-2 with some stunning forehands.
But ultimately paid the price for underestimating Ruud’s impressive athleticism as the Norwegian immediately broke back.
In the end Jarry just couldn’t put the finishing touches to some impressive patterns of play as more unforced errors from the forehand saw Ruud break for 6-5.
The Norwegian was the more clinical player as he sealed a place in the last eight for a second year in a row after three hours and 22 minutes.
It could be a rematch of last year’s quarter-final for Ruud as Holger Rune could await should the Dane defeat Francisco Cerundolo.
