A Finn, a Swede and a Dane took a victory trifecta on Tuesday at the ATP event in Washington as northern Europeans advanced into the third round of the pre-US Open outing.
Flying Finn Emil Ruusuvuori, the No. 46, accounted for second seed Hubert Hurkacz 6-4, 7-6(3) as he overcame 10 aces off the racquet of the No. 11 Pole.
Ruusuvuori set up a match with Swede Mikael Ymer, who followed up on his knockout of Andy Murray by defeating Aslan Karatsev 6-4, 3-6, 6-4.
The 155th-ranked winner needed nearly two and a half hours to advance in the traditional steamy conditions on court in the US capital.
Karatsev hit six double-faults, one less than the match-winner.
Dane Holger Rune, noted as something of a temperamental hothead, advanced past Benoit Paire 6-3, 6-3, handing the Frenchman his 20th loss of the season against only four victories.e
Against Hurkacz, Ruusuvuori saved each of the four break points he faced and was pleased to post the win.
“I just tried to hang in there and tried to stay as tough as I could,” the winner said.
“Long rallies really drain you and you start to feel dizzy during the points; it was very tough. But it’s a part of the game during this period of the year.”
“I didn’t have many chances until the (second set) tie-break and then I got a look at a couple second serves and [made] a couple deep returns, so that gave me the chance.”
Ruusuvuori has beaten upcoming opponent Ymer in both of their previous matches, played last season.
Main photo:- Emil Ruusvuori beat Hubert Hurkacz second seed in Washington second round.
