Mar 12, 2023; Indian Wells, CA, USA; Cristian Garin (CHI) hits a forehand during his third round match against Casper Ruud (NOR) during the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Hui-USA TODAY Sports
Chilean qualifier Cristian Garin shocked Casper Ruud 6-4, 7-6 (7/2) to reach the fourth round at Indian Wells on Sunday, handing the world number four Norwegian another setback in a disappointing season.
Garin’s attacking game paid off as he dispatched the tournament’s third seed in just under two hours, extending his record against Ruud to 3-1.
“The way I played today I’m so happy,” said Garin, a 26-year-old ranked 97th in the world.
“I was aggressive the whole match,” said Garin, whose 39 winners were too much for Ruud. “Even the second set when I was leading 3-1 and I lost those games I kept playing aggressive.
“I tried to go a lot to the net, I tried to be aggressive with my forehand and backhand. When I attack I think I play very well, I take time from my opponent.”
Ruud had hoped a quick victory over Diego Schwartzman in his second-round opener would mark a turnaround in a season in which he hadn’t advanced past the second round in three prior tournaments.
A two-time Grand Slam finalist in 2022, the 24-year-old Norwegian fell to Jenson Brooksby in the second round of the Australian Open.
He broke Garin’s serve just once, to level second set at 3-3, but the Chilean turned up the heat again in the tiebreaker.