Matteo Arnaldi’s journey in the ATP 500 in Barcelona ends in the quarter-finals. The Ligurian tennis player was defeated from Norwegian Casper Ruud with a score of 6-4 6-3 after an hour and thirty-three minutes of play. A good performance from the Ligurian, who also leaves the field with some regrets due to some missed opportunities during the match against an opponent who confirms himself as one of the best in the world on clay.
Ruud even closed with the 75% of first serves on courtbut it is above all with the second that the Norwegian made the difference, given that he won well 71% of points when using this shot, versus 46% of the blue.
The match begins with four breaks in the first five games. Ruud takes the lead 2-0, but Arnaldi immediately shortens, then the Norwegian leads again 3-1, but again the blue manages to immediately recover the break deficit. The match continues on the edge of balance with an excellent Arnaldi until the tenth game. Ruud raises his level, finding an excellent passer and a good recovery on the short ball which lead him to have two set points. The first is decisive, because Arnaldi’s error with the backhand arrives immediately and Ruud closes 6-4.
At the start of the second set Arnaldi even cancels Ruud’s break point with a second ace, then the Norwegian saves one with a nice forehand down the line. In the sixth game Ruud takes advantage of some errors from the blue and gets two break points, with the first still finding a forehand into the net from Matteo. Next 4-2 and then 5-3, in the ninth game Ruud finds himself canceling four break points, where Arnaldi is really not at fault. The Norwegian is very good and on the first match point he closes at 6-3.
Tags: Arnaldi stops quarterfinals fighting Ruud
