Ruud Survives In Acapulco, Fritz Powers Past Isner; Alcaraz Tonight?

In first round action in Acapulco, former champion Taylor Fritz knocked out John Isner 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.

The 25-year-old won 48/56 (86%) of first service points, was 2 of 3 on break chances and broke serve twice in the match.

The third-seeded Fritz broke in the ninth game of the third set for 5-4 then served it out. Fritz captured the final 3 games en route to the win.

Fritz and Isner are now tied 3-3 in tour-level clashes.

Fourth-seeded Holger Rune downed American rising star Ben Shelton in three sets 6-7(7-9), 6-4, 6-2, exacting revenge for a loss to the NCAA champ last summer.

Sixth-seeded Frances Tiafoe got by Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka 7-6(8-6), 6-4. Australian Open semifinalist Tommy Paul moved past Ecuador’s Emilio Gomez in two sets 6-1, 7-6(7-4), and Denis Shapovalov eliminated Miomir Kecmanovic 6-7(4-7), 6-0, 7-5.

No. 2 seed Casper Ruud advanced past 31-year-old Guido Andreozzi of Argentina in three sets 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(7-2). In the 10-break match, the 24-year-old Ruud finished with 16 aces.

Andreozzi got a quick break to start the third but Ruud got right back to level.

“Confidence wise I have felt better because it is my first match in five, six weeks,” Ruud said to the ATP. “You are kind of wondering where your level is at. Today it was a little bit up and down. I played some good tennis but I think Guido made it difficult for me. When you are playing a player like him, it can be sort of easier for him to play without pressure. He can feel free, let loose.”

Tuesday’s line-up includes No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz – Mackenzie McDonald, No. 5 Cameron Norrie – Adrian Mannarino and No. 8 Alex De Minaur – Rodrigo Pacheco Mendez.

Alcaraz, who just reached the Rio final, comes in nursing a upper right leg injury fueling rumors the top seed will now make it on court.