Synopsis
In the opening day of the Davis Cup qualifiers, Norway and Argentina stand at 1-1 after Casper Ruud's victory over Mariano Navone. Ruud's win was crucial after Tomas Martin Etcheverry's earlier win against Nicolai Budkov Kjaer. The next matches promise to be exciting as the teams vie for advancement.Key Takeaways
- Casper Ruud earned his 28th Davis Cup win.
- Ruud saved six of seven break points.
- Tomas Martin Etcheverry defeated Nicolai Budkov Kjaer after a long match.
- Norway and Argentina are tied at 1-1.
- The doubles match will be pivotal on Friday.
Oslo, Jan 31 (NationPress) The first round of the Davis Cup qualifiers saw Norway and Argentina end the opening day tied at 1-1 as Casper Ruud triumphed over Argentine player Mariano Navone with a score of 6-3, 6-3, bringing the tie to an equal standing after Tomas Martin Etcheverry gave Argentina an early advantage by defeating Nicolai Budkov Kjaer.
Ruud showcased remarkable skill during his match, achieving his 28th victory in the Davis Cup. He successfully won 71 percent (35/49) of his first serve points and managed to save six out of seven break points during the 70-minute match.
Prior to Ruud's victory, Etcheverry outlasted Norway’s 18-year-old Budkov Kjaer with a score of 7-5, 2-6, 7-6(5) in a grueling three-hour and 49-minute encounter.
Etcheverry was behind 2-4 in the final set but showed resilience. Budkov Kjaer, the 2024 Wimbledon boys’ singles champion, faced cramps as the match continued. Etcheverry took charge in the lengthy baseline rallies and ultimately claimed his fourth victory in the Davis Cup.
"It was challenging due to the ranking. I put a lot of pressure on myself. I was down 4-1 initially. Serving at 3-4 0-40 down, I’m unsure how I managed to win the first set! In the second, he played more aggressively. I was always behind," Etcheverry commented.
On Friday, the players will return for another captivating day. Ruud, having had a more restful period compared to Etcheverry, is expected to be the favorite for his singles match, leaving Norway to strategize on either the doubles or a crucial fifth match.
In the upcoming third rubber, which will feature doubles, Viktor Durasovic and Ruud will face the Argentine pair of Andres Molteni and Horacio Zeballos on Friday.
