Ruud makes big statement with De Minaur win, levels United Cup tie
If Casper Ruud’s performance Saturday evening at the United Cup is a sign of things to come in 2026, the rest of the ATP Tour will be on notice.
The Norwegian produced a flawless performance to cruise past home star Alex de Minaur 6-3, 6-3 in one hour and 34 minutes to level Norway’s tie against Australia at 1-1.
“I’m happy to get a great start,” Ruud told ATP No. 1 Club member Jim Courier in his on-court interview. “To beat Alex here in Australia is one of the toughest challenges we have in tennis, so I’m super happy to have that on my resume now.”
Ruud played aggressively and decisively, preventing De Minaur from finding any rhythm. The former No. 2 player in the PIF ATP Rankings saved all five break points he faced and consistently put pressure on the Australian’s serve, earning 10 break chances and converting three.
“It’s a great start a new season,” Ruud said. “I think we’ve all seen Alex in better shape than he was today. He was doing a few unforced errors that typically he doesn’t, so I got some free points here and there. You saw in the beginning he was struggling with his serve, so I got a free break and just built from there.”
The first Group D tie of the competition is down to a deciding mixed doubles after Storm Hunter staked the home side to a 1-0 lead earlier in the evening. Hunter and John-Patrick Smith will play Viktor Durasovic and Ulrikke Eikeri.
Photo Credit: Jason McCawley/Getty Images
Australia opened its 2026 United Cup campaign when Hunter defeated Malene Helgo 6-2, 7-6 (3).
Hunter, 31, returned to competition last season after missing nearly a year between March 2024 and March 2025 because of an Achilles tendon injury that required surgery. She stepped in as a last-minute replacement on Saturday for Australia No. 1 Maya Joint, who was sidelined because of illness.
The experienced left hander made a fast start against the 26-year-old Helgo, who is competing in the United Cup for the fourth time. Hunter broke serve twice in the opening set to take it 6-2.
Helgo, ranked No. 532 and seeking her first WTA Tour victory, raced to a 4-1 lead in the second set before Hunter — a former world No. 1 doubles player and a Grand Slam mixed doubles champion — rallied to level the set at 5-5.
Helgo saved three break points in a crucial 11th game to hold for a 6-5 lead, but Hunter held serve to force a tie-break. The Australian then dominated the tie-break to seal a 6-2, 7-6 (3) victory.
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