Czechia, Norway locked at 1-1 after tired Ruud wins

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Czechia, Norway locked at 1-1 after tired Ruud wins

World No.6 Casper Ruud has started the *********** summer on a winning note, fighting off tiredness and a dogged opponent to post a three-sets victory over Tomas Machac at the United Cup in Sydney.

Czechia took a 1-0 lead in Sunday’s tie against Norway at Ken Rosewall Arena after 2023 French Open finalist Karolina Muchova crushed world No.404 Malene Helgo 6-2 6-2.

It meant Ruud needed to beat world No.25 Machac to level proceedings, and things looked good as the Norwegian star took the first set and led 5-3 in the second.

Machac fought back hard to take the match to a deciding set, but Ruud lifted when it mattered most to produce the 7-6 (8-6) 5-7 6-4 victory in two hours, 54 minutes.

The mixed doubles will now decide the winner of the tie.

Ruud was clearly tiring in the third set of his singles match, and he received treatment on his legs during two consecutive changeovers.

But with his new fiance Maria Galligani watching on, he dug deep to break Machac twice in the third set.

Machac, who is now on the wrong end of a 3-0 head-to-head record with Ruud, was bothered by an elbow ******* late in the contest.

“What a way to start a new season. If every match is going to be this tough, it’s going to be a tough one,” Ruud said.

“I was a little bit tired towards the end. It hasn’t been the longest of off seasons.

“I did get engaged. That’s the biggest achievement of the year for sure.

“It was a great moment for me and my now fiance Maria. It was a proud moment for us.

“This was my first match as an engaged man, so I guess it’s working well.”

Italy will take on Switzerland in the night session in Sydney.

In Perth, Germany – boasting world No.2 Alexander Zverev – faces Brazil in the afternoon, with top seeds the US to battle Canada at night.

Australia’s campaign started with a shock 2-1 loss to Argentina on Saturday night.

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