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Stat of the Day: 30-year-old Taro Daniel records first Top 10 win of career with upset over Ruud

He was 0-8 against members of the elite going into his match against the No. 4-ranked Norwegian in Acapulco.

ByJohn Berkok

Published Mar 02, 2023

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Thirty-year-old Taro Daniel of Japan made it ninth time lucky against Top 10 players in Acapulco on Wednesday night, recording his first career win over a member of the elite with a 7-5, 2-6, 7-6 (5) victory over the No. 4-ranked player in the world, Casper Ruud.

Daniel fought off two match points serving at 5-6 in the third set—one at 30-40, one at ad-out—and finished the match with 28 winners to 26 unforced errors, while a somewhat erratic Ruud had 37 winners to 46 unforced errors on the day. The Norwegian’s 46th unforced error came on match point with a crosscourt forehand into the net.

Going into the match, Daniel’s best career win by ranking came against a No. 13-ranked Novak Djokovic at Indian Wells in 2018.

“It’s great—every time these victories feel more like my own,” an elated Daniel said after the two-hour, 57-minute victory.

“When I beat Djokovic it felt like he was not playing very well, but this time I felt like I was really playing against Casper at a high level—obviously he’s still coming back, he’s a bit rusty, but still I had to win it.

“It was a very physical battle, great atmosphere... yeah, so happy.”

TARO DANIEL'S CAREER RECORD VS TOP 10 PLAYERS: 1-8
l. to No. 6 Raonic in 2014 US Open 1st Rd, 6-3, 6-2, 7-6 (1)
l. to No. 2 Murray in 2016 Davis Cup RR, 6-1, 6-3, 6-1
l. to No. 4 Wawrinka in 2016 Roland Garros 2nd Rd, 7-6 (7), 6-3, 6-4
l. to No. 1 Nadal in 2017 US Open 2nd Rd, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-2
l. to No. 10 Berrettini in 2021 Belgrade-1 SFs, 6-1, 6-7 (5), 6-0
l. to No. 9 Berrettini in 2021 Roland Garros 1st Rd, 6-0, 6-4, 4-6, 6-4
l. to No. 10 Sinner in 2022 Australian Open 3rd Rd, 6-4, 1-6, 6-3, 6-1
l. to No. 8 Rublev in 2022 Belgrade QFs, 6-3, 6-3
d. No. 4 Ruud in 2023 Acapulco 2nd Rd, 7-5, 2-6, 7-6 (5)

A former No. 64, Daniel will rise from No. 125 to just outside the Top 100 by reaching the quarterfinals in Acapulco. If he can get past Alex de Minaur and reach the semifinals, he'll return to the Top 100.