Casper Ruud is into the third round of the Australian Open 2026 and has a chance to equal his best showing here in Melbourne when he reached the fourth round in 2021. The first Major of the season has not been a successful hunting ground for the Norwegian, who is a three-time Major finalist (twice in Paris and once in New York). Can Casper Ruud become the dark horse in the coming week?<\/p>\n
Ruud had a disappointing 2025 tennis season<\/a> as he finished 12th in the world. His preparation for the 2026 Australian Open<\/a> was subpar as well as he was dumped out in the first round by Fabian Marozsan at the Auckland Open.<\/p>\n Ruud, who generally enjoys playing on the clay, is a proven hard court player as well with his final showing at the 2022 US Open<\/a> a big testament to that.<\/p>\n Something has clicked for the 12th seed here at Melbourne<\/a>. He is 6-0 in sets played over two matches and he has looked like his vintage best. He has not been broken once and has really played with conviction especially from his dominant forehand side.<\/p>\n He next faces Marin Cilic, who may prove to be his biggest test yet but our experts believe Ruud has the upper hand<\/a> given his recent matches here. It will not be easy though as Cilic too is turning back the clock with two dominating wins including one over 21st seed Denis Shapovalov.<\/p>\n It is entirely possible Ruud is occupied elsewhere and rightly so. His wife is expecting and that could mean the Australian Open is not his top priority at the moment, freeing his game and dropping any baggage of bad form entering Melbourne.<\/p>\nAO 2026<\/h3>\n
Is Ruud’s mind elsewhere?<\/h3>\n