2nd seed Casper Ruud takes on Japanese qualifier Taro Daniel in the round of 16 of the 2023 Mexican Open on Wednesday.
Casper Ruud
The world No. 4 ended 2022 with a runner-up finish in the ATP Finals. However, he has not had a great start to 2023. Norrie defeated Thiago Monteiro in the United Cup while suffering a loss against Matteo Berrettini. In the ASB Classic, he lost to Laslo Djere in three sets after winning the first set. Ruud’s Australian Open campaign ended in the second round as he faced defeat against Jenson Brooksby.
In the round of 32 of the Mexican Open, Ruud had to toil hard in order to defeat Argentine qualifier, Guido Andreozzi. The match was quite competitive and eventually, the former world No. 2 emerged victorious 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (7-2). Ruud smashed 16 aces in the match and that earned him points at crucial moments.
Taro Daniel
The 30-year-old could not make it to the main draw in the Adelaide International 1 and the ASB Classic. He lost to Denis Shapovalov in the second round of the Australian Open. Before coming to Acapulco, Daniel competed in a Challenger event in Monterrey where he lost to Borna Gojo in the second round.
The Japanese No. 2 defeated Juan Alejandro Hernandez Serrano and Brandon Holt in the two qualifying rounds to make it to the main draw of the Mexican Open. In the first round, Daniel showed a lot of grit and determination to get the better of J.J. Wolf in straight sets 6-4, 6-4. Daniel managed to break Wolf 4 times in the match.
Head-to-Head and Prediction
Casper Ruud defeated Taro Daniel in straight sets 6-3, 6-4 in the finals of a Challenger event in Seville in 2016. Therefore, the head-to-head scoreline currently stands at 1-0 in favor of the Norwegian star.
Prediction: Casper Ruud to win in straight sets.
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