Casper Ruud Forced To Retire Against Felix Auger-Aliassime At Monte-Carlo Masters

Nobody likes to see a heavyweight fight end with someone throwing in the towel, but that is exactly what went down on the clay of the Monte Carlo Masters. Canadian standout Félix Auger-Aliassime is officially moving on to the quarterfinals after Casper Ruud, the tournament’s ninth seed and a notorious threat on the dirt, was forced to retire due to a nagging lower right leg injury. At the time of the stoppage, Auger-Aliassime was holding the reins with a 7-5, 2-2 lead.

A Brutal Break For Casper Ruud

You have to feel for Ruud. The Norwegian came out of the gates swinging, jumping to a quick 3-0 lead in the first set. It looked like it was going to be a long, frustrating afternoon for Auger-Aliassime. Ruud was dictating the pace, and the Canadian was struggling to find his rhythm, particularly with his first serve.

But tennis is a funny game of momentum. Just when you think a guy is on the ropes, he finds a second gear. Auger-Aliassime dug deep, broke serve in the fifth game, and clawed his way back to level the score at three games apiece. From there, it was a gritty, back-and-forth dogfight until the 11th game, when Auger-Aliassime capitalized on a sloppy return to snatch the first set.

How Ruud’s Injury Changed the Game

By the time the second set rolled around, it was obvious something was seriously bothering Ruud. After the second game, he called for a medical timeout. Out came the trainer, and soon Ruud was sporting an imposing wrap on his right calf. He bravely tried to push through the pain, but your body usually wins that argument. A few points later, Ruud had no choice but to wave the white flag after an hour and 43 minutes of play.

This unexpected finish bumps Auger-Aliassime’s head-to-head record against Ruud to 5-3. Even sweeter for the Canadian? This is his fourth straight victory over the Norwegian, a streak that includes a massive win at the Paris Olympic Games.

What’s Next For Auger-Aliassime?

Clay hasn’t exactly been Auger-Aliassime’s best friend over the years. By his own admission, Monte Carlo has historically been a brutal stop on the tour for him, but surviving this test against a clay-court specialist like Ruud is a massive confidence booster. He finished the abbreviated match with 23 winners and four aces.

He’ll need every ounce of that confidence in the quarterfinals, where he’ll face the winner of the clash between Italian superstar Jannik Sinner and the Czech Republic’s Tomas Machac.

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