Ruud qualifies in pain!

Casper Ruud is one hell of a fighter. Far from his best tennis form in recent weeks, the Norwegian didn't come far from the exit on Friday.

Up against an uninhibited and enterprising Juncheng Shang, the world number 8 seemed unable to react for a long time, especially when he found himself two sets down after just over 2 hours of duel.

However, far from admitting defeat, Ruud reacted like a champion. Winning 18 of the last 22 games of the match, he seriously raised his level of tennis, no longer committing many errors, hitting the ball hard and putting a lot of weight into it.

After a mental battle lasting almost 4 hours, the 25-year-old earned his ticket to the second week, where Taylor Fritz awaits him.