Casper Ruud's serving prowess saved the day in Stockholm! The Norwegian tennis star overcame a shaky start to dominate his match against Marin Cilic, showcasing a performance that has fans buzzing. Let's dive into how Ruud turned the tide and what it means for his season.
On Wednesday, October 15, 2025, at the BNP Paribas Nordic Open in Stockholm, the second seed, Casper Ruud, faced off against the formidable Marin Cilic. The match, played on an indoor hard-court, saw Ruud initially struggling, falling behind early in the first set. But here's where Ruud's resilience shone: he swiftly regained his composure, relying on a polished serving display and his trademark movement to secure a 7-6(2), 6-4 victory. This win marks Ruud's impressive record of 14-3 in opening-round matches for the 2025 season.
Ruud himself acknowledged the challenging start. "It was a good match, I’m very happy," he stated, highlighting Cilic's aggressive play. He added, "Marin is a great player, very aggressive. He got a better start than me, so I just tried to get my form and rhythm back into the match. I’m really happy with the win."
And this is the part most people miss... Ruud's ability to quickly adapt and dominate is what truly sets him apart. He turned the match around by holding serve to love in four consecutive games in the first set and winning all 12 first-serve points in the second, according to Infosys ATP Stats. This commanding performance not only secured his victory but also significantly boosted his chances of reaching the Nitto ATP Finals for the fourth time. The 2022 runner-up is currently ranked 11th in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin.
In the quarter-finals, Ruud is set to face Sebastian Korda, who advanced after a thrilling match against Kamil Majchrzak. Korda's victory, achieved with a score of 6-4, 4-6, 7-5, marked his 100th hard-court win, making him the fifth player born in the 2000s to achieve this milestone.
In other first-round action, Lorenzo Sonego defeated Arthur Fery with a score of 6-4, 6-2, setting up a second-round clash with Aleksandar Kovecevic. Marton Fucsovics also secured a win, easing past Jesper de Jong to book a match against top seed and 2022 Stockholm champion Holger Rune.
But here's where it gets controversial... Ruud's performance highlights the importance of adaptability and mental fortitude in tennis. Do you think his ability to overcome a slow start is a sign of a champion? Or is it something he needs to improve on? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
