De Minaur receives a Ruud awakening in United Cup loss
Joanna Guelas |
Alex de Minaur has been served an early wake-up call ahead of the Australian Open after suffering his first career defeat to Norway’s Casper Ruud at the United Cup.
De Minaur looked rusty as Ruud made light work of Australia’s world No.7 to win 6-3 6-3 in the host nation’s opening tie at Sydney’s Ken Rosewall Arena.
Storm Hunter had put Australia on the front foot after defeating Malene Helgo 6-2 7-6 (7-3) earlier on Saturday, and will link up with John-Patrick Smith for the deciding mixed doubles against Ulrikke Eikeri and Ruud.
De Minaur struggled to capitalise on his formidable second serve and looked subdued as Ruud claimed the opening three games in less than 12 minutes en route to winning his first set off the Australian.
Norway’s world No.12 lifted his serving game in the second set to finish off the match in an hour and 34 minutes on de Minaur’s home court.
It is three-time grand slam finalist Ruud’s first win over de Minaur in three ATP matches dating back to 2019.
Doubles specialist Hunter made an “emotional” return to the Sydney court earlier on Saturday as a last-minute replacement for Australia’s top-ranked female player Maya Joint.
World No.32 Joint failed to recover in time from an illness for Saturday’s clash, having missed scheduled media and practice sessions the previous day.
But Australia will hope the 19-year-old rising star will be fit to face two-time grand slam winner Barbora Krejcikova in Tuesday’s tie against Czechia.
Hunter wrapped up the opening set in 35 minutes, before Norway’s world No.533 wrestled momentum following a marathon game at 5-5, which produced 11 deuces.
The 31-year-old won the second-set tiebreak on her serve after an hour and seven minutes.
“This is pretty emotional for me,” Hunter said while holding back tears.
“It’s been a pretty tough two years, rupturing my achilles and fighting my way back through surgery and relearning everything.
“I never thought I’d be back on this court in a singles moment playing for Australia.”
The 2023 year-end doubles world No.1, Hunter had suffered an achilles tendon injury during Billie Jean King Cup training in April 2024.
The popular veteran has clawed her way back to be ranked world doubles No.33 since making her comeback in February last year, but has slipped from a career-high singles ranking of No.114 to No.426.
Meanwhile, Joint endured a frustrating start to the season after setting her sights on reaching the third round of the Australian Open following last year’s breakout campaign.
Joint is set to be seeded for the first time at Melbourne Park, having risen to world No.32 after titles at Eastbourne and Morocco.
The Brisbane-based teenager exited last year’s Australian Open in the first round as a wildcard.
AAP
