The Italian qualifier saved one match point to earn his first ATP Masters 1000 win against Benoit Paire in the first round and backed that up by producing a free-hitting performance against Ruud. He struck 35 winners and hit with great depth to consistently push Ruud back and inflict a ninth defeat of the season on the Norwegian.
“I don’t know what to say. In Barcelona I was playing very good,” said Arnaldi, who came through qualifying to reach the second round at the ATP 500 last week. “But coming here it is different. The ball bounces so high and I didn’t like it at first. I struggled a bit. But today, I don’t know, maybe the stadium, maybe the pressure on him, but I played the best match of my life.”
The 22-year-old, who competed at the Next Gen ATP Finals last season, is up nine spots to No. 96 in the Pepperstone ATP Live Rankings following his third tour-level win of the year. Arnaldi reached a career-high No. 102 earlier this month after he won his second ATP Challenger Tour title of the year in Spain.
Arnaldi will look to continue his dream run against Jaume Munar. The Spaniard advanced after Tallon Griekspoor was forced to retire after Munar had clinched the first set 7-6(3).
Ruud captured his 10th tour-level title in Estoril earlier this month but has struggled to find his best form in 2023. The 24-year-old has failed to advance beyond the third round at the four ATP Masters 1000 events he has played and suffered a second-round exit at the Australian Open.
Matteo’s forehand was on 🔥 today!@mattearnalds defeated Ruud with a 9.4 #ShotQuality on the forehand.@tennis_insights pic.twitter.com/5J1xFOEvwr
— ATP Tour (@atptour) April 28, 2023
Source Tennis – ATP World Tour
