Casper Ruud digs deep again, saves two match points to topple Tommy Paul at Roland Garros

“I doubt I’ll see the courts tomorrow.”

That’s a perfectly understandable mindset for Casper Ruud given the way he’s made it back to the second week of Roland Garros.

In the first round, dizziness and overheating nearly saw the two-time runner-up lose from match points up with a two-set lead against Roman Saffiiulin. Late Friday night, Ruud survived from two sets down—and later two match points—to come through another grueling five-setter over Tommy Paul.

The No. 16 seed battled back to advance, 4-6, 6-7 (4), 6-4, 7-6 (4), 7-5, in four hours and 43 minutes. Paul had his chance to cross the finish line when Ruud served at 4-5, 15-40 in the fourth set. but would miss both opportunities en route to going just two for 14 on break point chances.

Ruud, in stark contrast, went a perfect three for three.

“He was dominating a lot and playing very loose and aggressive, coming to the net, making my game feel uncomfortable. I didn't really find any rhythm in his serves. I was really not even sniffing on the break points until the third set,” he told press after the clock struck midnight.

“I broke him quite early, and that maybe changed a bit momentum. You just say, one set at a time here.”

The Norwegian has now won all four of his Grand Slam meetings with Paul, three of those going the distance. His next opponent is Joao Fonseca, who earlier took down Novak Djokovic from two sets down to cement a first-time major champion being crowned at the end of the tournament.

Just three players left in the draw have played for a Grand Slam trophy. Ruud and Alexander Zverev have appeared in three title matches, while Matteo Berrettini is a former Wimbledon finalist.

“it's such an open tournament, which is kind of refreshing, I guess, for everyone, and to see that there will be a new slam champion in about a week or so. I think every player is aware of it,” said Ruud.

“I'm going to try to use the experiences that I've had of reaching far in slams to my advantage and see where that takes me, but you focus one match at a time. I have an incredible task ahead of me with a young special talent like Joao. He has already beaten top players in his career, so he knows what it takes.”

As for his Saturday plans, don’t expect to catch him training on an outside court.

“It's the beauty of slams, and the days off, we try to use them as much as we can,” Ruud said. “Typically you come here and practice maybe a little bit, but I think I'll save all the energy I have for Sunday and take it from there.”