Caspr Ruud broke through for a career-first quarter-final at the Indian Wells Masters on Wednesday assh he shut down the Gael Monfils show 3-6, 7-6 (3), 6-4.
The Norwegian who has played three Grand Slam finals and frankly prefers clay, stands ninth in the world but claimed just one title last season.
Ruud needed nearly two and a half hours to construct his comeback against his French showman opponent.
He will bid for the semi-finals against Tommy Paul after the American dispatched Novak Djokovic’s surprise conqueror Luca Nardi of Italy 6-4, 6-3.
“I felt physically good and ready,” said Ruud. “It was a really tough second set, it fortunately went my way. I saved a few break points there and was clutch enough in the tie-break.”
Monfils at age 37 was the sixth oldest player to reach a Masters quarter-final since the series began in 1990.
Monfils was feeling the weight of his three-hour-plus victory in the previous round over 2021 champion Cameron Norrie.
Ruud improved to 16-3 on the season.
