Ruud Cruises Past Cerundolo 6-3, 6-2 to Open Paris Masters Campaign

Casper Ruud made a confident start to the Rolex Paris Masters on Monday, beating qualifier Juan Manuel Cerundolo 6-3, 6-2 in the first round on Court Central. The Norwegian was in control throughout the straight-sets win on the opening day of the main draw at the season's final Masters 1000 event, which runs in Paris through Sunday, November 8. Ruud's victory was one of a busy slate of first-round results on Monday. Lorenzo Musetti edged Hubert Hurkacz in two tie-breaks, Rafael Jodar beat Alejandro Tabilo, and qualifier Rinky Hijikata, qualifier Tomas Machac and Ignacio Buse also advanced. The tournament carries extra significance this week as the last qualifying event for the season-ending ATP Finals in Turin, with several players still chasing the remaining places in the eight-man field. For Ruud, the win offers a clean platform to build on in Paris. The draw is headed by new world No. 1 Alexander Zverev, who received a first-round bye and opens his campaign on Wednesday against the winner of the Musetti-Hurkacz match. Ruud will now look to carry his opening-day form deeper into a tournament where every win also shapes the race for Turin.