Casper Ruud started his Delray Beach Open campaign with a tough three-set victory against Marcos Giron.
The Norwegian is playing his first ATP tournament since the Australian Open, having had his first child shortly after the Grand Slam.
Ruud is set for a busy ATP Tour schedule after the Delray Open, but he might have made a mistake by playing the American tournament.
The star might have given him a better chance to climb the rankings if he opted for the Rio Open instead.
Why is Casper Ruud not playing the Rio Open?
Many of the top players on the ATP Tour are currently playing the Qatar Open as it’s a 500 event rather than the Delray Open’s 250.
Many of the American stars opt to play on home soil, which makes perfect sense, but why has Ruud opted to fly around the world for a 250 event?
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The star should have used the air miles to play the Rio Open, where there is far less competition and more points on offer.
Ruud is an excellent clay court player, having reached the final of Roland Garros on two occasions, and would have been one of the favourites for the event.
The Norwegian could argue that he wants to get outdoor hardcourt minutes into his legs ahead of Indian Wells and the Miami Open, but it seems like a missed opportunity for the star.
Ruud is currently sitting at world number 12 in the rankings, but 500 points from Rio would have put him back on the cusp of the top 10.
Who does Casper Ruud play next?
Due to the vast amount of American players who opt to play Delray, the field is incredibly tough for a 250 event.
Ben Shelton’s withdrawal made the event slightly easier, but Ruud will still have to contend with Taylor Fritz, Flavio Cobolli, Learner Tien, and Tommy Paul.
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Ruud will next play Sebastian Korda in the quarter-finals, which could be a tough match for the Norwegian against the American on home soil.
Nevertheless, Ruud has an excellent record against Korda, having beaten him in both of their matches on the ATP Tour.
Ruud last knocked out Korda in the Stockholm Open, on his way to lifting the title at the indoor tournament.
