The round at ATP 250 in Auckland was of various outcomes for the two primary seeds. While Cameron Norrie won his very first suit in three sets and already secured a place in the quarterfinals, Casper Ruud was not so fortunate as well as wound up being eliminated in his debut.
No. 2 in the competition and also number 12 in the ranking, Norrie needed to fight for 2h45 to beat the Czech from quali Jiri Lehecka by 6/4, 6/7 (4-7) as well as 6/3. The match started at the main stadium, but was only completed on an interior court, due to rainfall. With the outcome, the 26-year-old Briton continues to be undefeated at the beginning of the period, having actually won all 4 video games he played in 2023.
Norrie’s challenger in the quarterfinals will be the American Marcos Giron, 60th in the ranking, that racked up a double 6/4 against compatriot JJ Wolf. The Briton has a win as well as a loss against Giron on the circuit.
On the same side of the key, an additional North American advanced to the quarterfinals. He won the partial by 6/1 as well as soon after his competing retired due to an injury to the adductor of his left leg.
Grinding through 💪
No. 2 seed @cam_norrie braves the rain and a venue change, finally defeating Jiri Lehecka 6-4 6-7 6-3 at #ASBClassic. pic.twitter.com/YgKkkBb2mZ
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) January 11, 2023
The main surprise of the round was due to the elimination of globe number 3 Casper Ruud. The Norwegian was gotten rid of by Serbian Laslo Djere, 70th in the ranking, with partials of 3/6, 6/3 and 7/6 (7-3) in 2h07 of departure. Djere deals with Frenchman Constant Lestienne, that beat compatriot Gregoire Barrere by 1/6, 7/6 (7-4) as well as 7/5.
A shame 😔
Unfortunately Diego Schwartzman has had to retire due to injury, trailing Jenson Brooksby, 6-1.
Get better soon, Diego 🙏 pic.twitter.com/IeAG7FyyBt
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) January 11, 2023
In the other quadrant, the additionally French Richard Gasquet passed the Portuguese João Sousa by 7/6 (7-2) and 6/2. His next opponent is the Belgian David Goffin, who beat the American Christopher Eubanks by 6/2, 6/4.
