Three-time Grand Slam champion Andy Murray has had some excellent performances in the past month. However, he was in for a fight as he took on the current World No.10 Casper Ruud, to book a place in the San Diego Open 2021 quarterfinals. Did he pass that test?

Although he put on a great battle, Murray could not keep up to Ruud’s brilliance. Falling victim to his consistent, Murray once again failed to reach the quarterfinals of a tournament. He lost the match 5-7, 4-6.

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Andy Murray vs. Casper Ruud, Set 1: San Diego Open 2021

Both players started the match with a comfortable service hold, trying to register dominance over the opponent. Interestingly, Murray made the first crack as he broke Ruud in the third game of their encounter.

Following that, the Scot saved a breakpoint himself and consolidated the break to get a 3-1 lead. In response, 22-year-old Ruud made a lightning-fast 40 and nil service hold. As the match progressed, it was evidently clear that none of the two would have an easy win at the Barnes Stadium in San Diego.

Correspondingly, Ruud brought his A-game in front and recovered his loss in the sixth game. Afterward, even he supported the break, and the match came back to serve again at 3-4.

At 4-5, the 34-year-old Murray held his service game to keep the set alive but lost the subsequent two games. Unable to level with the young Norwegian’s precision, he lost the opening set, 5-7.

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Murray vs. Ruud, Set 2: San Diego Open 2021

From the start of the second set, Ruud played a flawless game and troubled Murray with his wide shots. Consequently, he got a 0-3 lead in the second set in no time.

From there on, it became difficult for the Scot to make his way back into the match. Yet, he held his two subsequent service games, hoping for a collapse in level from Ruud.

Fortunately, Murray saw an opening and cracked it open to recover his loss, only to lose it again in the following game. At 3-5, Ruud served for the match but failed to see it through. Seemingly, the 34-year-old had his claws and needed a big push to get back into the battle for the quarterfinals’ spot.

Ultimately, the young Norwegian got the better of Murray as he broke him at 4-5. The final score: 5-7, 4-6.

In the San Diego quarterfinals, he will take on Italian international Lorenzo Sonego, who beat America’s uprising star, Sebastian Korda. Do you think Ruud will win the title in San Diego?

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