Casper Ruud's Stockholm comeback: A tale of resilience and precision
A shaky start, a confident finish: Casper Ruud, the second seed, overcame a worrying opening in his Stockholm opener against Marin Cilic, showcasing his mental fortitude and exceptional serving skills.
On October 15, 2025, Ruud demonstrated his ability to bounce back from adversity in the BNP Paribas Nordic Open. After a slow start, he found his groove and defeated Cilic 7-6(2), 6-4. This win improved his opening-round record to an impressive 14-3 in 2025, a testament to his consistency.
But here's where Ruud's resilience truly shines: Despite falling behind 1-4 in the first set, he remained composed and executed a remarkable turnaround. His powerful serves and trademark court movement left Cilic struggling to keep up. Ruud's ability to adapt and dominate under pressure is a skill many players strive for.
"Marin is a great player, very aggressive. He got a better start, but I found my rhythm," said Ruud, reflecting on his comeback. This victory extended his unbeaten streak against Cilic to 4-0 in the Lexus ATP Head2Head series.
Dominance from the baseline: Ruud's performance was a masterclass in precision. He held serve to love in four consecutive games in the first set and didn't drop a single first-serve point in the second set, according to Infosys ATP Stats. This level of accuracy is a hallmark of Ruud's game and a key factor in his success.
The win boosted Ruud's chances of qualifying for the Nitto ATP Finals for the fourth time. As the 2022 runner-up, he's determined to go one step further this year. His next challenge is against Sebastian Korda, who has already made a statement in Stockholm.
Controversial QF Matchup: Korda, in a thrilling three-set battle, defeated Kamil Majchrzak to secure his spot in the quarterfinals. Korda's impressive serving, especially in the final set, led him to his 100th hard-court win, joining an elite group of players born in the 2000s. This achievement sparks a debate: Is Korda the future of tennis?
Meanwhile, Lorenzo Sonego and Marton Fucsovics also advanced to the second round. Sonego defeated Arthur Fery, while Fucsovics cruised past Jesper de Jong. Both players will face tough opponents in their next matches, with Sonego meeting Aleksandar Kovecevic and Fucsovics taking on the top seed and defending champion, Holger Rune.
As the tournament progresses, the competition intensifies. Who will rise to the challenge and claim the Stockholm crown? Will Ruud continue his dominant form, or will Korda's momentum carry him to victory? The Stockholm Open promises thrilling encounters and potential upsets. Stay tuned as the drama unfolds!
