On a warm day in Madrid, World No. 105 Matteo Arnaldi achieved his biggest career triumph, outlasting third seed Casper Ruud 6-3, 6-4 after one hour and 33 minutes at the Caja Magica (Magic Box).
In his on-court interview, he stressed: “In Barcelona, I was playing very well, but coming here is different. The ball bounces so high, and I didn’t like it at first. I struggled a bit. But today, I don’t know, maybe the stadium, maybe the pressure on him, but I played the best match of my life.”
The Italian player qualified for the first time for a Masters 1000 main draw this week.
On Wednesday, he delivered an inspired performance against Frenchman Benoit Paire to emerge victorious 6-1, 3-6, 7-6 (6) in his first-rounder.
On Friday, the Spanish city capital saw the 22-year-old continuing his run of form to earn his maiden career Top 10 win, defeating an erratic version of the Norwegian player, who failed to find his A-game on the surface that best suits his game.
Throughout the second-round encounter, the Millennium Estoril Open champion won only 65 percent of the first-serve points, while Arnaldi won 80 percent on his.
In addition, the young player fired 35 winners and just nine unforced errors.
The Sanremo native made a spirited tennis display against the two-time grand slam finalist, adding pressure on his opponent to convert his first break point in the fourth game of the opener, triggering Ruud’s quick reaction to break straight back at 2-3.
Struggling to find his rhythm on his favorite surface, the 10-time ATP titlist, a semi-finalist in Madrid (2021), made a series of mistakes that allowed the Italian to find breathing room to produce a crucial double break in the eighth game, serving to seal the first set 6-3 in 50 minutes.
The Murcia ATP Challenger Tour champion won 75 percent of the first-serve points, while Ruud won just 57 percent on his.
Capitalizing his chances, Arnaldi carried out momentum, breaking to open the second set and holding to take a 2-0 lead.
The 24-year-old raised his level, albeit the player mentored by Alessandro Petrone held his break advantage for much of the set, strong behind his serve.
Charging at the net accurately, he served out for the set 6-4 and the match, moving through the third round.
Next, he will face Spaniard Jaume Munar, who advanced via walkover after 30th seed Tallon Griekspoor withdrew from their match.
Munar, who survived a heated matchup against Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis, which the World No. 88 took 7-6(9), 7-6(3), was a set up when Griekspoor pulled out.
Arnaldi leads the series against the 25-year-old 1-0, having edged the Spanish player in the round of 64 in Barcelona only ten days ago.
Ruud arrived in Madrid after falling short in Barcelona, exiting in the round of 16, losing to Argentine Francisco Cerundolo in straight sets.