Casper Ruud's Stockholm Comeback: Overcoming a Slow Start to Shine! 🎾
In a thrilling match at the BNP Paribas Nordic Open, Casper Ruud demonstrated his resilience and class. Despite a concerning beginning, Ruud's serve proved to be the difference-maker against Marin Cilic in the opening round of the Stockholm ATP 250 tournament.
On October 15, 2025, the second seed Ruud faced a challenging test against the powerful Cilic. The match started on a worrying note for Ruud, who quickly found himself trailing 1-4 in the first set. But here's where Ruud's determination kicked in! He bounced back with a remarkable display of serving prowess and his signature court movement, ultimately sealing a 7-6(2), 6-4 victory.
Ruud's comeback was a testament to his mental fortitude and skill. He didn't let the initial setback deter him, instead using it as motivation to find his groove. According to Infosys ATP Stats, Ruud held serve to love in four consecutive games in the first set and dominated the second set with his first serve, winning all 12 points.
This win improved Ruud's opening-round record in 2025 to an impressive 14-3 and boosted his chances of qualifying for the Nitto ATP Finals for the fourth time. As the 2022 runner-up, he currently sits 11th in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin. In the quarterfinals, he will face off against Sebastian Korda.
But the story doesn't end there. Korda also had a noteworthy performance, defeating Kamil Majchrzak 6-4, 4-6, 7-5 in a thrilling two-hour, 33-minute battle. Korda's serve was on fire in the final set, dropping only four points out of 28, according to Infosys ATP Stats, securing his 100th hard-court win and joining an elite group of players born in the 2000s to achieve this feat.
The first round also saw Lorenzo Sonego begin his pursuit of a second indoor title with a 6-4, 6-2 victory over Arthur Fery. Sonego will next face Aleksandar Kovecevic, who was leading against Camilo Ugo Carabelli before the latter retired due to injury. Additionally, Marton Fucsovics advanced with a 6-1, 6-2 win over Jesper de Jong and will now challenge the top seed and 2022 Stockholm champion, Holger Rune.
Was Ruud's comeback a sign of mental strength or a result of Cilic's early complacency? Let us know your thoughts!
