Ruud Faces Giron in Intense Second Round at Indian Wells

INDIAN WELLS, California — Casper Ruud is set to face Marcos Giron in a highly anticipated second-round match at the BNP Paribas Open on March 8, 2025. The match follows Ruud’s late withdrawal from the Mexican Open due to a stomach bug, raising questions about his current form.

Ruud, ranked fifth in the ATP standings, aims to bounce back after a disappointing early exit at the Australian Open where he was seeded sixth. He reached the final of the Dallas Open, losing to Denis Shapovalov, but his recent withdrawal has left fans uncertain about his competitive edge. “I wasn’t happy to miss the Mexican Open, but I’m ready to give my best here,” Ruud said.

On the other hand, Giron, currently ranked 48th in the world, is enjoying a career-best year, having reached the quarterfinals in three out of four tournaments. Despite a tough loss to World No. 1 Jannik Sinner at the Australian Open, Giron has demonstrated resilience, securing a straight-sets victory over Nikoloz Basilashvili in the first round of the Indian Wells event.

Giron’s profile as a late bloomer has garnered attention, but facing an opponent of Ruud’s caliber will be a significant challenge. “I’ve got momentum on my side, but you can’t underestimate Ruud,” Giron stated. The American’s tenacity and form could pose an upset threat.

The head-to-head record favors Ruud, who leads 2-1 against Giron, with their last meeting resulting in a decisive 6-1, 6-0 victory for Ruud in 2024. Despite this, Ruud’s fluctuating form means Giron could exploit any weaknesses. “If I find my rhythm, I should dominate the match,” Ruud remarked.

The upcoming match is crucial for both players. Ruud is seeded fourth at this tournament and seeks to utilize his powerful baseline game to regain his form. Meanwhile, Giron’s strategy will likely focus on sustaining rallies and capitalizing on any lapses from Ruud.

The match is slated to begin no earlier than 3:40 PM ET at the outdoor hard courts of the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. Fans can keep up with the action on Tennis Channel and Sky Sports, as they witness this thrilling encounter between two talented players poised to make their mark in the ATP 2025 season.