Casper Ruud moved into the second round of the Mexican Open by beating Argentine qualifier Guido Andreozzi 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (7-2) in Acapulco.

Ruud, who won three titles and reached the French Open and US Open finals in 2022, is playing in Mexico for the second time in his career. Two years ago, he had made it to the quarter-finals. The second seed Ruud will next play Taro Daniel, who beat JJ Wolf 6-4, 6-4.

Also on Monday, fourth seed Holger Rune defeated Ben Shelton 6-7 (7-9), 6-4, 6-2. Taylor Fritz, Tommy Paul, Denis Shapovalov, Michael Mmoh, Feliciano Lopez and Frances Tiafoe also won their respective matches.

Tiafoe defeated Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka 7-6 (8-6), 6-4 in the first round. But the American’s day was made during a practice session when a young girl professed her love for him. The display of affection made the world No.15 respond with a wide, beaming smile. The American has defeated Nishioka on all three occasions that they have met.

AP/PTI