Alex de Minaur vs Casper Ruud preview, head-to-head, prediction, odds, and betting tips | United Cup 2026

Match Details

Fixture: (AUS) Alex de Minaur vs (NOR) Casper Ruud

Date: January 3, 2026

Tournament: United Cup

Round: Group Stage

Category: United Cup

Venue: Ken Rosewall Arena, Sydney, Australia

Surface: Hard

Prize Money: $11,806,190

Live Telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Sky Sports | Canada - TSN

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Alex de Minaur vs Casper Ruud preview

Alex de Minaur at the United Cup 2026. (Photo: Getty)

Australia's Alex de Minaur will take on Norway's Casper Ruud in the group stage of the United Cup 2026.

De Minaur enjoyed one of the best seasons of his career in 2025. He made the quarterfinals of the Australian Open and the US Open, and the fourth round of Wimbledon. Aside from a semifinal at the Monte-Carlo Masters, he made the quarterfinals at three other Masters 1000 tournaments.

De Minaur won his only title of the season at the Citi DC Open, and lost to Carlos Alcaraz in the final of the ABN AMRO Open in Rotterdam. He qualified for the ATP Finals for the second year in a row, and bowed out in the semifinals this time. He finished the season ranked No. 7, his best year-end finish so far.

2025 was a mixed bag for Ruud. He didn't advance beyond the second round of any Major. However, he won the biggest title of his career with his triumph at the Madrid Open, finally claiming his maiden Masters 1000 title. He also dealt with an injury in the middle of the season, and skipped Wimbledon.

Ruud won his second title of the season at the Stockholm Open. However, his winning ways came to an end with a mid-match retirement during his quarterfinal showdown at the Swiss Indoors. He capped off the year with an opening-round exit from the Paris Masters, and finished the season ranked No. 12.

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Alex de Minaur vs Casper Ruud head-to-head

De Minaur leads Ruud 2-0 in the head-to-head. He won their previous meeting at the Mexican Open 2024 in straight sets.

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Alex de Minaur vs Casper Ruud odds

(Odds via BetMGM)

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Alex de Minaur vs Casper Ruud prediction

Casper Ruud at the United Cup 2026 Team Norway Media Opportunity. (Photo: Getty)

De Minaur compiled a 56-24 record in 2025, making it a career-best year in terms of match wins. He has a 6-2 record at the United Cup, with both of his losses coming to Cameron Norrie.

Ruud posted a 39-16 record in 2025. He has a 6-1 record at the United Cup, with his only loss coming against Matteo Berrettini in 2023. Both him and de Minaur are on a five-match winning streak at the tournament.

De Minaur hasn't lost a set across both of his previous matches against Ruud. The former's defense has proven to be too good for the latter to break down. Ruud also has a 9-17 record against top 10 players on hardcourts, thus making him the underdog in this contest.

Pick: Alex de Minaur to win in straight sets.

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Alex de Minaur vs Casper Ruud betting tips

Tip 1: Alex de Minaur to win.

Tip 2: The match will have at least 20 games.

Edited by Rohit