Casper Ruud continued the quest for his first ATP Masters 1000 title Thursday, rallying past Roberto Bautista Agut 6-7(4), 7-6(4), 6-4 to reach the quarter-finals in rainy Montreal.
The Norwegian recovered from a slow start as he upped his intensity in the second set to level. Following a 69-minute rain-delay, the fourth seed opened his shoulders in the decider to finish the job after three hours and 17 minutes at the National Bank Open Presented by Rogers.
In front of a lively crowd, Ruud found greater depth, consistency and topspin on his backhand in the third set, which allowed him to force Bautista Agut back and close points with his powerful forehand.
The 23-year-old has improved his ATP Head2Head series record against the Spaniard to 1-2 and will next play home favourite Felix Auger-Aliassime or World No. 11 Cameron Norrie.
The World No. 7, who reached the quarter-finals in Toronto last season, is the highest seed left in the draw, after Daniil Medvedev, Carlos Alcaraz and Stefanos Tsitsipas all lost on Wednesday.
Ruud has won three tour-level titles this year, while he advanced to his maiden Masters 1000 final in Miami in April, losing to 19-year-old Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz. Ruud is now 37-13 on the season.
Bautista Agut was aiming to reach the quarter-finals at the Canadian Masters 1000 event for the fourth consecutive year. The 34-year-old had won his past six matches, having lifted the trophy in Kitzbühel last month.
© Mike Lawrence/ATP Tour
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