Casper Ruud, of Norway, serves to Gael Monfils, of France, at the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament, on March 13, 2024, in Indian Wells, California. (PHOTO / AP)

Casper Ruud ended Frenchman Gael Monfils's run at Indian Wells with a marathon 3-6 7-6(3) 6-4 victory and will face Tommy Paul in the quarters after the American brought lucky loser Luca Nardi back down to earth with a straight-sets win on Wednesday.

After struggling to put winners past the athletic Monfils in the opening set the ninth seeded Norwegian became more aggressive in a tight second set and rolled through the tiebreak.

Ruud finally broke his 37-year-old opponent for a 3-1 lead in the deciding set and cruised to the finish.

Gael Monfils, of France, eyes the ball as he plays Casper Ruud, of Norway, at the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament, on March 13, 2024, in Indian Wells, California. (PHOTO / AP)

"I felt physically good and ready," Ruud said.

"Really tough second set, it fortunately went my way. I saved a few break points there and was clutch enough in the tiebreak."

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A nice moment came when Monfils walked to the service line trailing 3-5 in the third and the crowd rose to their feet to cheer on the fan favorite, who smiled widely and waved his racket in appreciation before holding serve.

Luca Nardi of Italy serves against Tommy Paul of the United States in their fourth round match during the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 13, 2024 in Indian Wells, California. (PHOTO / AFP)

After pulling off a stunning victory over world number one Novak Djokovic on Monday, Nardi was served a dose of reality by Paul, who hit five aces and never dropped serve en route to a businesslike 6-4 6-3 win.

The 20-year-old Italian called his win over his idol Djokovic in the prior round a "miracle" but his luck ran out against hometown hero Paul.

READ MORE: Djokovic stunned by lucky loser Nardi at Indian Wells

Paul, seeded 17th, has won just one match in five meetings with Ruud.