United Cup 2026 LIVE: Flat start to de Minaur’s season after straight sets loss to Ruud
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Updated January 3, 2026 — 11.48pmfirst published at 5.17pm
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11.48pm
Australia lose the opening set
Things have gone south for team Australia, with Norway getting the late break to secure the first set 6-4.
But it’s Australia who get the early break in the second set, going 1-0 up after breaking at deuce.
Smith now on serve for Australia.
11.33pm
Mixed doubles locked 4-4
It’s all square in the mixed double with Hunter and Smith 4-4 with Eikeri and Durasovic in this mixed doubles tie.
Alex de Minaur is back on the team bench cheering his teammates following an honest but deflating press conference, where he conceded Casper Ruud was too good for him tonight.
11.16pm
Hunter and Smith take to the court
The mixed doubles is on at Ken Rosewall Arena, and it’s safe to say a lot of the crowd has decided to pack it up for the night.
It’s been a long night already, and despite there being a lot on the line for team Australia, no Alex de Minaur or Casper Ruud makes it a harder sell for ticket holders.
So far we’re 1-1 in the first set.
Storm Hunter and John-Patrick Smith.Credit: Getty Images
10.56pm
Ruud withdraws from mixed doubles
Here we go.
It’s Storm Hunter and John-Patrick Smith for team Australia, but team Norway has replaced Casper Ruud with Viktor Durasovic, who will play alongside Ulrikke Eikeri.
10.41pm
Mixed doubles start time TBC
Well, if Casper Ruud’s post-match comments are anything to go by, we won’t be getting our mixed doubles match for another…30 minutes.
Yep, you read that right. Our Norwegian friend plans on having a quick shower before coming back out to play in a half hour’s time…time for a tea break.
10.33pm
Ruud defeats de Minaur for first time
We are going to a deciding mixed doubles match at Ken Rosewall Arena after Casper Ruud defeated Alex de Minaur 6-3, 6-3 in 1 hour and 30 minutes.
It’s the first time Ruud has defeated de Minaur in his career, and it means it’s 1-1 in the tie between Australia and Norway.
Given the time, they’ll want to get the doubles teams out as quickly as possible.
The team sheet has Storm Hunter and John-Patrick Smith taking on Ulrikke Eikeri and Casper Ruud.
10.27pm
Another double fault for the Demon
Ken Rosewall Arena is awkwardly quiet right now.
Casper Ruud is 30-0 in this game after a double fault from Alex de Minaur.
The Australian doesn’t look like he’s got much to give.
10.26pm
De Minaur serves to stay in the match
Norway’s Casper Ruud takes a 5-3 lead in this second set and will look for a late break to seal this match.
A win for Ruud would make it 1-1 in Norway’s tie with Australia, which will mean it comes down to the mixed doubles.
De Minaur serving to stay in the match.
10.14pm
Clinical serving from Ruud
Casper Ruud is serving so well tonight, and there’s very little Alex de Minaur can do about it.
It’s making for quicker service games for Ruud, while de Minaur’s weaker serve means the Norwegian is able to get the ball back in play a lot easier. It means de Minaur is really having to fight for his points – more than Ruud is having to fight for his.
10.03pm
Norway on top as Ruud breaks Demon’s serve
Things are going from bad to worse for Alex de Minaur tonight, as Casper Ruud gets another break to lead 2-1 in this second set.
De Minaur is not himself out there tonight, but Ruud is also playing exceptionally well. He’s using the width of the court to run de Minaur around, and his serve is strong when he needs it most. He’s able to serve right into the corners and de Minaur can barely get a racquet to it sometimes.
Casper Ruud leads Alex de Minaur 2-1 in the second set.Credit: AP
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