‘Not what I was really hoping for’ – Casper Ruud suffers shock loss in dent to ATP Finals qualifying chances

Casper Ruud said his Asian swing was “not what I was really hoping for” after seeing his chances of qualifying for the Nitto ATP Finals dented with a second-round loss to qualifier Marcos Giron at the Japan Open.

He was the second seed at the Japan Open but lost 6-3 6-4 to world No. 79 Giron.

“Maybe not what I was really hoping for and kind of what I needed but there’s still a couple of weeks to go and I’ll keep my head high and try to fight in the last couple of weeks of the year.”

Ruud said he was “never able to get into a rhythm” against the USA’s Giron.

“I tried to play the same level as I did yesterday – maybe I wasn’t able to but it’s OK, it’s not always easy to shift from one day to the other with different opponents,” said Ruud.

“I wasn’t able to be ready enough for his game and counter his game.”

Giron will next face Felix Auger-Aliassime, who beat Sebastian Ofner to secure back-to-back wins for the first time since March.

Auger-Aliassime had won just twice in his past 11 matches before the Japan Open, but looked good in beating Ofner in one hour and 35 minutes.

“I need results like this,” said Auger-Aliassime.

“I believe in my game and I believe in myself that I have what it takes to win at this level. I have done it before but it is about doing it and having a lot of belief and a positive mind.

“I am happy that my level is translating to the match court after a couple of months.”

Elsewhere, Zhang Zhizhen upset Shanghai Masters champion Hubert Hurkacz.

The result leaves Hurkacz 335 points behind Rune in the Race to Turin standings.