Casper Ruud’s Laver Cup campaign is off to a perfect start after sealing a straight-sets victory over Reilly Opelka.
In the first tie of the event, Ruud defeated Opelka in one hour and 27 minutes to open Team Europe’s account in their title defence.
The Norwegians’ result was followed up by Jakub Mensik‘s win over Alex Michelsen, and Team Europe’s triumph in the first doubles match of the tournament to give them a 3-1 lead over Team World.
Ruud put on a serving clinic against one of the biggest servers on tour in Opelka, who had high praise for his conqueror after their clash.
Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images for Laver Cup
The American hailed him as one of the best servers in the game, to which the former world number two responded: “I’m happy to hear that from him, but no.
“I told him at the net, This is not a normal serving day for me. I wish it was, but it’s not. I have to be honest and say that.
“I don’t think I’ve ever been over 80% first serves in and playing really well behind it. So really happy with it.
“You know, I lost early at the US Open, so I had a few more days of practice at home than I would want, but you try to use them for something good, and I guess it paid off for the serve today.”
Ruud bowed out of the US Open in the second round, falling to unseeded Raphael Collignon in five sets.
Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images for Laver CupWhat Casper Ruud thought after almost getting broken early on
Team Europe’s first winner added: “It really got going, the serve. Reilly started great and really almost broke me in my first game, so I guess I just thought, I better serve well today, otherwise it might be tough.
“He has such a great serve. It is important to serve well yourself. You just try your best in return games.
“You get a few chances here and there and try to take them. Luckily, you know, one break was enough, and one mini-break and a tiebreak.
“So really happy with my own game and serve, and I stayed focused and really, yeah, determined throughout the whole match.”
Ruud extended his unbeaten streak against Opelka to 5-0, having never lost to him at a tour-level event since 2019.