Karen Khachanov ended Casper Ruud’s run of five straight games as he held to go 1-0 up on serve at the beginning of set two. As the players changed ends, the chair umpire told them to wait and see whether the rain was going to get any worse. “If we just stay just a minute here, and let’s see what’s happening,” he said.
But they played on, and Ruud got his service game underway. The rainfall was so heavy that it could be heard during the rally. And after the 23rd seed went 15-0 up, they had to call it. “Ladies and gentlemen, play is suspended,” the umpire announced.
“Okay, so I think the players are going to be hurried off here,” Nick Lester said on commentary, while co-commentator Miles Maclagan commended Khachanov for getting back on the board before the delay, which put some pressure on Ruud.
After Ruud and Khachanov had left the main stadium court and headed back to the locker rooms, Lester added: “The court is going to be covered, we’re going to be, perhaps, a little while here, I’m afraid to say, while the rain moves through.”