By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Sunday March 26, 2023
Casper Ruud's rough ride continues in Miami, as the No.3 seed was knocked off by Botic Van de Zandschulp on Sunday.
Photo Source: TTV
Casper Ruud can’t buy a win in 2023, and his luck didn’t change in Miami. The two-time Grand Slam champion dropped to 5-6 overall in 2022 on Sunday night as he was taken out by Botic Van de Zandschulp 3-6, 6-4, 6-4.
It was a frustrating evening for Ruud – a microcosm of his 2023 season thus far – as he was only able to convert two of 15 break point opportunities.
But credit Van de Zandschulp, who notched his first Top 5 win and a date with Finland’s Emil Ruusuvuori in the round of 16.
"He had so many chances in the third set. When I broke back for 3-2 I was holding and had a feeling that I had a chance in his service games. At 5-4 I had one opportunity and I took it."
Van de Zandschulp saved seven of eight break points in the third set of his biggest career win.
"He had so many chances in the third set. When I broke back for 3-2 I was holding and had a feeling that I had a chance in his service games. At 5-4 I had one opportunity and I took it."
Ruud botched a volley on match point, after setting up the point perfectly. He sent the ball into the top of the net to end the contest in two hours and 50 minutes.
The Norwegian won 51 matches and three titles last season, but has not managed to reach a quarterfinal in 2023. Still, the season is young, and the clay beckons.