Casper Ruud reached the final of the US Open back in 2022 but he will not be going any further than the second round this year after he was dumped out by Belgian World No.107, Raphael Collignon in five sets on Wednesday.
Collignon only had his first win at a Grand Slam earlier this week now he has two, it is only her third tour level victory too as he sees off Ruud 6-4, 3-6, 3-6, 6-4, 7-5. Despite living in Liege, Belgium and being coached by the giant killer himself Steve Darcis who defeated Rafael Nadal at Wimbledon in 2013. He was born in Rochester in Minnesota so has roots in the States. It has been a constant build for the 23-year-old who reached a maiden Challenger final in 2023 and cracked the world’s top 250. He also got a qualifying spot for the first time in 2023 for Roland Garros. But 2024 was about more improvement as he sealed a maiden Challenger title.
He saw off established Dutchman, Botic van de Zandschulp in the final of the 2024 Platzmann Open in Lüdenscheid, Germany. He received a wildcard for his home tournament, the European Open in Antwerp but lost to Marton Fucsovics. He sealed a second Challenger title though as he was certainly not done winning the All In Open in Lyon. He ended the season ranked inside the top 125 in singles at World No.122. He went on to continue his title winning ways by claiming the Terega Open Pau-Pyrenees in Pau. He reached the top 100 in February.
He claimed his first ATP Tour win in February defeating the now retired Fabio Fognini but then lost to Marin Cilic at Wimbledon in the first round who famously went on to defeat Jack Draper and end his run. Now he has the giant killing genes in his bones. He saw off Daniel Elahi Galan in the first round before going on to upset Casper Ruud in the second round. He now faces Jiri Lehecka, the 20th seed next at the US Open and as expected was elated by the result.
