Casper Ruud is off to a winning start in 2026 after defeating Alex de Minaur in his first match of the season at the United Cup.
In Norway’s tie against Australia at the international event, Ruud beat de Minaur in straight sets, 6-3, 6-3.
The former world number two’s one-hour and 34-minute victory levelled the tie, following Storm Hunter’s win earlier in the day in women’s singles.
Ruud picked up his very first win over de Minaur, having fallen to him in their two previous bouts at the 2019 Next Gen ATP Finals and the 2024 Mexican Open.
After his convincing triumph, however, he admitted that his opponent is capable of playing much better.
Casper Ruud reacts to winning his first match of the season
In his on-court interview, Ruud said: “It’s great to start a new season. I think we’ve all seen Alex in better shape than he was today; he was doing a few unforced errors that he typically doesn’t.
“I got some free points here and there. We saw at the beginning, he was struggling with the serve, so I got a free break, and just built from there. Happy to play well behind my own serve.
Which country do you think will win the United Cup?
“I think we’ve done a lot of good work [in the offseason] physically, and mentally, to recover after a few hectic years on tour, since COVID broke out and ever since I’ve been climbing the rankings, at some time, maybe it got a little too much.
“My knee gave in last year at some point. I’ve had five-six weeks now to rest for the new year. I feel great physically, and technically on the court as well.
“Happy to get a good start here, to beat Alex here in Australia is one of the toughest challenges we have in tennis, so super happy to have that on my resume now.”
Wally Massur claims Casper Ruud was ‘unbelievably good’
Speaking on Sky Sports, two-time Grand Slam semifinalist Wally Massur said of Ruud: “He was so good tonight.
“We were focusing a little bit on Alex and what he needed to do to get back in this match, but I said at one point, he needed a little help from Casper, he didn’t get it! Casper was unbelievably good tonight.
“Couldn’t fault him from serve, from the back of the court, shot making, unloaded with power when he had a bit of time. Right shot at the right time, defended when he had to. Very, very complete performance from Casper Ruud, given it’s so early in the season.
What does Alex de Minaur need to change to challenge Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner?
“He’s come out of the blocks really well. I was a little surprised. Demon didn’t quite seem Demon-like. He just seemed a bit subdued; there was almost that 1,000-yard stare when he was sitting in the players’ box at the change of ends.
“It wasn’t like he was taking on a lot of information; he was looking off into the distance. Not quite himself tonight.”
Ruud’s next match at the United Cup will be against Jakub Mensik in Norway’s tie with Czechia.
Receive exclusive tennis news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
