INDIAN WELLS, California - Chilean Cristian Garin’s aggressive play overwhelmed Casper Ruud at Indian Wells on Sunday as the qualifier upset the third seed 6-4 7-6(2) to book a spot in the last 16.
Garin pounded 27 forehand winners and fought off a second set comeback attempt to dispatch the struggling Norwegian, who has yet to win consecutive matches this season.
“I’m so happy with the way that I played,” said Garin.
“I played so aggressive the whole match, even in the second set when I was leading 3-1 and lost those games I kept playing aggressive.”
With the win Garin, a former top 20 player now ranked 97th, improved his career record against Ruud to 3-1.
“Casper is one of the players I really, really like on the tour so it’s very special to me,” said the Chilean.
Ruud is still searching for the sensational form that saw him make the finals of the French Open and U.S. Open and soar up the rankings last year.
Garin will next face Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich Fokina who beat Russia’s Karen Khachanov 6-3 1-6 6-4.
German 12th seed Alexander Zverev dug deep to beat Emil Ruusuvuori 7-5 1-6 7-5 despite admitting he was not at his best.