Ruud Sinks Eubanks In Shanghai

Casper Ruud earned consecutive ATP Masters 1000 hard-court wins for the first time this year on Sunday when he defeated American Christopher Eubanks 6-4, 6-2 to reach the fourth round at the Rolex Shanghai Masters.

The eighth seed, who defeated Yoshihito Nishioka in his opening match, was too consistent for Eubanks. He committed just six unforced errors and saved all three break points he faced to advance after 72 minutes.

Ruud last won back-to-back matches at a hard-court Masters in Montreal in 2022, when he reached the semi-finals. The Norwegian will aim to continue his run in Shanghai when he next plays Dusan Lajovic or Fabian Marozsan.

With his 35th win of the season, Ruud has also boosted his Nitto ATP Finals qualification chances. The 24-year-old is 10th in the Pepperstone ATP Live Race To Turin, 315 points behind eighth-placed Holger Rune, who lost in his opening match in Shanghai.

In other action, Lorenzo Sonego advanced past Frances Tiafoe after their match had been suspended overnight due to rain. The Italian led 2-1 in the third set upon resumption and quickly sealed a 2-6, 6-2, 6-3 victory to improve to 4-11 against Top 10 opponents.

Sonego’s best result at a Masters 1000 this year was a fourth-round appearance in Miami. The World No. 59 will play Nicolas Jarry in the third round.

J.J. Wolf upset Briton Cameron Norrie 6-3, 5-7, 7-6(4) in another match that began on Saturday. The American rallied from 3-5 in the third set to advance in the pair’s first Lexus ATP Head2Head meeting after two hours and 59 minutes. Wolf next faces Matteo Arnaldi in the third round.