"Super happy to have that on my resume": Casper Ruud upstages Alex de Minaur in United Cup win

There’s something about the United Cup that brings out some of Casper Ruud’s best tennis.

The former world No. 2 has helped Norway qualify for every edition of the mixed gender competition. When it comes to leading the charge for his nation on the court, Ruud has more than delivered.

Case in point: his 2026 season opener Saturday night against No. 1 Australian Alex de Minaur in Sydney.

🖥️📲 The Match in 15 Minutes: Ruud vs. De Minaur, United Cup

Taking advantage of early service troubles by his seventh-ranked opponent, Ruud proved capable of maintaining the role of aggressor to keep the home favorite on his back foot. Saving all five break points against his serve, the 27-year-old comfortably closed out a 6-3, 6-3 victory for the 20th Top 10 win of his career.

“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 told Jim Courier during his on-court interview.

“It’s a great 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 typically he doesn’t, so I got some free points here and there.”

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.

De Minaur, coming off a season that saw him qualify for his second Nitto ATP Finals, tossed in eight double faults along the way against the world No. 12.

“You saw in the beginning he was struggling with his serve, so I got a free break and just built from there,” commented Ruud.

Reflected De Minaur later in press, “I struggled a little bit playing at night. A little bit heavier. It felt like I wasn't able to get that feeling on my serve of kicking it in, which again, in the past I've had no problem doing.

“He normally likes to stay in rallies a little bit longer. Today he was going for all his shots, and they were landing in. He deserved to win.”

Ruud is now 7-1 lifetime in United Cup singles matches and on a six-match win streak. The three-time major finalist will look to extend that Monday against Jakub Mensik in a Top 20 clash, with a shot at avenging his second-round loss to the Czech at last year’s Australian Open.

Australia ultimately recovered to claim the Group D tie, as Storm Hunter won her second match of the day after partnering John-Patrick Smith to a 4-6, 6-1 [10-4] victory in mixed doubles against Ulrikke Eikeri and Viktor Durasovic. Hunter kicked off the session by defeating Malene Helgo, 6-2, 7-6 (3).