Elias Ymer defeats younger brother in Stockholm sibling showdown
In a rare battle between brothers on the ATP Tour, Sweden’s Elias Ymer ousted his younger sibling Mikael Ymer on Tuesday at their home tournament, the BNP Paribas Nordic Open in Stockholm.
The 29-year-old prevailed 6-2, 7-6(4) in what was the eighth tour-level meeting between brothers since 1990, and second this season. Argentine brothers Francisco Cerundolo and Juan Manuel Cerundolo faced off in Buenos Aires.
Matches between brothers on the ATP Tour since 2000
| Players | Tournament |
| Elias Ymer d. Mikael Ymer | 2025 Stockholm |
| Francisco Cerundolo d. Juan Manuel Cerundolo | 2025 Buenos Aires |
| Alexander Zverev d. Mischa Zverev | 2018 Washington |
| Gerald Melzer d. Jurgen Melzer | 2016 Kitzbühel |
| Olivier Rochus d. Christophe Rochus | 2000 Palermo & 2002 Wimbledon |
Following the opening-round match, the Ymer brothers shared a warm embrace at the net and Elias was overcome with emotion during his post-match interview.
“Today, I would have been happy even if I lost,” said the No. 243 player in the PIF ATP Rankings, who entered the week on an eight-match skid across all levels. “I’m usually never crying. I don’t know what’s happening.”
In other action, Tour-veteran Marin Cilic won a clash between experience and youth. Cilic overcame #NextGenATP 19-year-old Nicolai Budkov Kjaer 7-5, 6-3. The Croatian relied on his hefty serve at the indoor event, where he won 85 per cent of first-serve points and struck 12 aces, according to Infosys ATP Stats, en route to the one-hour, 33-minute win.
Cilic, 37, is competing in Sweden for the first time in his pro career. He will next face second seed Casper Ruud. The Norwegian leads Cilic 3-0 in their Lexus ATP Head2Head series.
Tomas Martin Etcheverry overcame Estonian qualifier Mark Lajal 7-6(5), 6-7(5), 6-3 in a two-hour, 55-minute battle. Kamil Majchrzak ousted Filip Misolic 6-2, 6-2.
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