History repeats for Argentine spoiler in Gstaad

Casper Ruud fell victim to the same spoiler who knocked him out a year ago as the two-time winner of the Gstaad Swiss Open lost a lead to take a quarter-final loss to Juan Manuel Cerendolo 3-6, 7-5, 6-2 on Friday.

The comeback win from a set and 4-2 down by the Argentine duplicated a win over Ruud here a year ago.

Norway’s Ruud won the alpine title here in 2021 and 2022, but could not hold onto his margin as his lefty opponent reversed the momentum to reach his second semi-final of the season.

Ruud looked like finding his element on the clay this week in the alpine village after losing in the Wimbledon first round nealry a month ago.

But Cerundolo put paid to that scenario. The South American was not the day’s only spoiler, with with top seeded holder Alexander Bublik knocked out 6-4 (7), 4-6, 7-6 (5) in a weather-delayed second-round match to France’s Quentin Halys.

Monaco third seed Valentin Vacherot double-faulted on match point in a loss to Belgium’s Raphael Collignon 7-6 (7), 4-6, 7-5.

In the first set, ATP No. 13 Ruud saved three break points against No. 45 Cerundolo to hold 3-2 and then broke the South American a game later through a return winner on his way to claiming the opening set.

The Scandinavian went up a break in the fifth game of the second set, but lost the edge as he lost his own serve as the break-back levelled the set at 4-all as the momentum shift took hold.

Ruud’s power faded as his 29 winners over the first two sets faded to four in the definitive third.

Cerundolo advanced on his first match point; he has now come from a set down in three matches this week and stands 14-3 in deciding sets this season.

“I used all my energy, I tried to play my best,” the winner said. “I was able to come back in the second set and I started playing really well.”