Melbourne, Jan 12 (UNI) Sixth seed Casper Ruud fought through a grueling five-set match to advance to the second round of the Australian Open 2025, defeating close friend and training partner Jaume Munar 6-3, 1-6, 7-5, 2-6, 6-1 on Sunday at Rod Laver Arena.
The Norwegian, who trains alongside Munar at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca, admitted the match was particularly challenging due to their friendship and familiarity with each other’s games. "It was a really tough match. I know Jaume well, we practice a lot together," Ruud said after the match. "It’s tricky because he knows my game, I know his, and we are good friends."
Ruud, 26, struck 48 winners and converted five break points during the three-hour, 21-minute contest.
Munar, though defeated, matched Ruud in terms of statistical performance, registering seven fewer points over the course of the match. Despite a strong showing, the Spaniard, who has yet to win an ATP Tour title, remains without a Grand Slam fourth-round appearance in 25 attempts.
Ruud’s victory improves his five-set record to 10-6, and he acknowledged that surpassing his father Christian Ruud’s Australian Open fourth-round achievement in 1997 remains a significant milestone in his career. "I hope I can beat it one day," said Ruud, who is coached by his father. “I owe him a lot.”
Ruud, who is aiming to improve his Grand Slam performances in 2025 after a semifinal finish at Roland Garros last year, will next face the winner of Monday's match between Jakub Mensik and qualifier Nikoloz Basilashvili.
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