Casper Ruud Triumphs Over Marin Cilic In Australian Open Thriller

What a night it was at Melbourne’s Margaret Court Arena as Casper Ruud, the Norwegian tennis star, edged past Croatia’s Marin Cilic in a third-round thriller at the 2026 Australian Open. With the world watching and personal milestones looming, Ruud delivered a gutsy, high-octane performance that had fans on the edge of their seats for more than three hours. The final score: 6-4, 6-4, 3-6, 7-5 in favor of Ruud, sending him into the fourth round and keeping his Grand Slam dreams alive—at least for now.

The lead-up to this match was already dripping with intrigue. Both players had breezed through their first two rounds, not dropping a set. Cilic, the 2014 US Open champion, had crushed Daniel Altmaier 6-0, 6-0, 7-6 and then taken down Denis Shapovalov 6-4, 6-3, 6-2. Ruud, meanwhile, looked every bit the former world No. 2, dispatching Belluci M 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 and Munar J 6-4, 7-5, 6-4. Heading into Friday’s clash, the head-to-head was lopsided: Ruud had won all four of their previous meetings. But Cilic, hungry and in top form, was not about to let history dictate the outcome.

The match began with Cilic holding serve, but Ruud quickly found his groove. After conceding the first game, the Norwegian surged ahead 3-1, displaying the kind of rhythm and confidence that has made him a two-time French Open finalist and a US Open finalist. Still, Cilic was not to be outdone. He clawed his way back, pushing the first set to a tight 5-4, before Ruud slammed the door and took it 6-4.

Set two saw Cilic pinch the opener, but Ruud responded with cool efficiency. Serving bombs and gliding through points, Ruud sprinted ahead 5-3. The drama peaked as Cilic earned three break points in the final game, threatening to flip the script. But Ruud, ever the competitor, saved one with a blistering ace and another with a gutsy second serve. With nerves of steel, he sealed the set 6-4, pumping his fist as the crowd roared.

But this was no straight-sets cruise. Cilic, a veteran of countless five-setters, roared back in the third. His forehand caught fire, and he began hitting winners at will, taking the set 6-3. Suddenly, the match had become a true battle, with both men trading blows and momentum swinging wildly. The tension was palpable as the fourth set began, with neither player willing to give an inch.

The fourth set encapsulated everything great about Grand Slam tennis: power, precision, nerves, and heart. Cilic jumped out to a 40-0 lead in a crucial game, only for Ruud to dig in, chase down every ball, and turn the tide. The Croat’s serve was humming, but Ruud’s defensive skills and relentless energy kept him in every rally. As the set neared its climax, every point felt like a mini-final. Finally, with Cilic serving to stay in the match, he sent a forehand long, and Ruud collapsed in relief and joy. The Norwegian had survived, 7-5 in the fourth.

“Someone is probably very happy back home that you didn’t play a 5th set. Your fiancée Maria, who’s heavily pregnant, she’s due pretty much right after the Australian…” Ruud joked in his post-match interview, referencing his wife Maria Galligani, who is expecting their first child at any moment. The couple, who married quietly in December 2025 after getting engaged in November 2024, are on the cusp of parenthood. The looming arrival has cast a unique shadow over Ruud’s tournament—if the call comes, he’s made it clear he’ll fly home immediately, regardless of where he stands in the draw.

This off-court uncertainty may be helping Ruud play with a sense of freedom. As reported by Eurosport Norge and others, he’s been flying under the radar, letting his tennis do the talking. “Ruud does not mean by the usual elimination in the 128 men’s singles draw in Melbourne. His wife Maria Galligani is expecting their first child, a baby girl, at any moment, and if he gets the call, Ruud will head home to be at the birth,” noted one report. Despite the pressure, Ruud’s focus on court has been laser-sharp.

At 27 years old, Ruud is hardly a veteran by tennis standards, but with the likes of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner dominating in their early twenties, the window for Grand Slam glory can feel narrow. Ruud’s reputation as a clay-court specialist is well-earned—he was runner-up at Roland Garros in both 2022 and 2023—but his run to the US Open final in 2022 proved he can thrive on hard courts as well. The Australian Open remains one of the few major trophies missing from his cabinet, and this year’s campaign is shaping up to be his most dramatic yet.

For Cilic, the loss will sting. The Croatian showed flashes of his best, especially in the third set, and pushed Ruud to the brink with his aggressive baseline play and booming serve. But in the end, it was Ruud’s resilience and mental fortitude that carried the day. The match was littered with break points, deuce games, and high-stakes rallies—truly a contest befitting the Grand Slam stage.

Next up for Ruud is American Ben Shelton, a dangerous opponent whose 2025 season was cut short by injury. Shelton’s form in Melbourne has been a pleasant surprise for fans and pundits alike, as he’s shaken off any rust to play at an extremely high level. The fourth-round showdown promises fireworks, with both men eager to make a deep run. There’s also the ever-present possibility that Ruud could receive the call to rush home for the birth of his daughter, adding yet another layer of suspense to an already unpredictable tournament.

The Australian Open is famed for its drama, and this year’s edition is delivering in spades. Ruud’s journey—on and off the court—has captivated tennis fans worldwide. Will the new husband and soon-to-be father pull off a maiden Grand Slam title, or will the story take another twist? For now, Ruud marches on, his sights set on both tennis glory and a life-changing moment just around the corner.

With the crowd still buzzing and the tournament heating up, all eyes turn to the next chapter. The Norwegian’s resilience under pressure has been remarkable, and with his family story unfolding alongside his on-court heroics, the 2026 Australian Open has found one of its most compelling storylines. Stay tuned—there’s plenty more tennis, and perhaps a few surprises, still to come.