Australian Open 2026: Ruud sinks Cilic, Djokovic ‘stressed’ despite win, Osaka withdraws – live | Australian Open 2026

Cilic serves wide, and jogs in to tuck away a simple winner back across the court. A huge ace out wide is next. That’s 30-0. Another sizeable serve is hammered down by the Croatian, and that’s 40-0. Then a second serve is returned strongly by Ruud, and Cilic flops a backhand into the net as the match clock ticks past three hours.

Two gynormous forehands by Ruud leave Cilic standing next up, and that’s 40-30, and then a double fault, and it’s deuce – the Norwegian suddenly two points away from victory.

Cilic nails a massive serve down the middle – but Ruud, showing the defensive instincts of Novak, gets the ball back and then takes control of the rally and wins the point! That’s match point!

Then a second serve for Cilic and a hush settles on the arena … he soon sends a forehand wind and it’s game over! The players meet at the net and shake hands. Ruud back from the dead in that fourth set, and in that game from 40-0 down.

Ruud playing some nice stuff and I’m sure he’ll have a chat now, including on the impending arrival back at home …

*Cilic 4-6, 4-6, 6-3 6-5 Ruud (*next server)

Thanks Billy. Ruud races to 40-0 and Cilic obligingly spoons a forehand return wide to end the game with little fuss. It seemed like a five-setter was in the offing, but now Cilic has to serve to save his skin.

Cilic 4-6, 4-6, 6-3 5-5 *Ruud (*next server)

Cilic gobbles up a short return from Ruud at 30-15 up to set up game point. Ruud’s return is long and this fourth set goes on. Luke McLaughlin is back to see you through.

Cilic* 4-6, 4-6, 6-3 4-5 Ruud (*next server)

Ruud breezes through his service game and, after holding the upper hand in this fourth set, Cilic finds himself serving to stay in the Australian Open.

Cilic 4-6, 4-6, 6-3 4-4 *Ruud (*next server)

Ruud breaks back! Cilic shows some signs of nerves as he misjudges a volley at 30-0 up and then sweeps a backhand well wide for 30-30. A double fault follows and then another backhand goes awry. A gift for Ruud, really.

Cilic* 4-6, 4-6, 6-3 4-3 Ruud (*next server)

Cilic breaks! Ruud wobbles on serve and finds himself at 0-30. A commanding crosscourt forehand sets up three break points for Cilic – he snaps up the first as Ruud goes long with a backhand. The 37-year-old is in the groove now.

Cilic 4-6, 4-6, 6-3 3-3 *Ruud (*next server)

Some textbook serve-and-volley sets up three game points for Cilic and he powers a serve down the T that Ruud barely connects with to hold to love.

The roof is coming on the Margaret Court Arena as the clock strikes midnight. There’s still a decent crowd in. It is Saturday night after all. Cilic to serve.

Cilic* 4-6, 4-6, 6-3 2-3 Ruud (*next server)

Ruud wastes little time to hold to 15. The winner of this one will play No 8 seed Ben Shelton after his straight-sets victory over Valentin Vacherot earlier.

Cilic 4-6, 4-6, 6-3 2-2 *Ruud (*next server)

A chance arises for Ruud as Cilic double faults at 15-15. An ace follows for 30-30. Then another thunderous serve sets up a net approach and a second point in a row. Ruud then clears the baseline and shows his frustration at an opportunity lost to break.

Cilic* 4-6, 4-6, 6-3 1-2 Ruud (*next server)

After a let and a first serve into the net, Ruud aces a second serve down the T to hold to 15. It’s approaching midnight in Melbourne.

Cilic 4-6, 4-6, 6-3 1-1 *Ruud (*next server)

Both players hold their first service games of the fourth set. Cilic has swapped his stripy shirt for a purply one. More sartorial updates to follow.

And today’s women’s singles results:

• A Anisimova (US, 4) bt P Stearns (US) 6-1 6-4

• Wang X (Chn) bt L Noskova (Cz, 13) 7-5 6-4

• E Mertens (Bel, 21) bt N Bartunkova (Cz) 6-0 6-4

• I Swiatek (Pol, 2) bt A Kalinskaya (31) 6-1 1-6 6-1

• E Rybakina (Kaz, 5) bt T Valentova (Cz) 6-3 6-3

• M Inglis (Aus) bt N Osaka (Jpn, 16) w/o

A quick reminder of today’s men’s singles results:

• J Sinner (It, 2) bt E Spizzirri (US) 4-6 6-3 6-4 6-4

• B Shelton (US, 8) bt V Vacherot (Mnc, 30) 6-4 6-4 7-6(5)

• T Fritz (US, 9) bt S Wawrinka (Swi) 7-6(5) 2-6 6-4 6-4

• N Djokovic (Ser, 4) bt B van de Zanschulp (Neth) 6-3 6-4 7-6(4)

• J Mensik (Cz, 16) bt E Quinn (US) 6-2 7-6(5) 7-6(5)

A fourth set beckons after some imperious hitting from Cilic, who nails a couple of forehands down the line on the way to holding his serve.

Cilic* 4-6, 4-6, 5-3 Ruud (*next server)

A huge slice of luck gives Cilic a crucial break! The veteran’s return hits the top of the net and bounces the other side – Ruud had no chance. There’s an apology and Cilic now serves for the third set.

The young Czech and 16th seed is through to the fourth round for the first time after holding his nerve in another tight tiebreak in the third set. The 20-year-old will face Novak Djokovic next!

Cilic 4-6, 4-6, 4-3 *Ruud (*next server)

Cilic smacks a forehand crosscourt at a devilish angle to go 30-15 up but Ruud hangs on in there. The No 12 seed wastes a chance at 30-30 with an overhit backhand and Cilic seals the game with an ace.

Cilic* 4-6, 4-6, 3-3 Ruud (*next server)

All square as Ruud holds again. I have to say I’m a fan of Cilic’s subtle stripy white shirt.

Mensik v Quinn has gone to a tiebreak in the third set, the Czech player two sets up.

Casper Ruud is looking to get beyond the third round in Melbourne for only the second time in his career and the first since 2021. He was knocked out in the second round by Alexander Zverev last year. The No 12 seed is back on serve.

Cilic 4-6, 4-6, 3-2 *Ruud (*next server)

Cilic thunders down an ace at 30-15 before wrapping up another hold with a first serve that Ruud wafts into the net.

Cilic* 4-6, 4-6, 2-2 Ruud (*next server)

Hello everyone. This third set is motoring on nicely. Ruud closes out a hold to 15 with an ace down the T.

Cilic 4-6, 4-6, 2-1 *Ruud (*denotes next server)

And another hold for Cilic. Your move, Caspar.

Billy Munday is here while I take a break.

*Cilic 4-6, 4-6, 1-1 Ruud (*denotes next server)

With serve early doors in the third set.

Just one of the day’s big stories: Naomi Osaka withdrawing due to injury.

“I thought I could push through it,” she said. “I played my last match with some pain, and I thought maybe if I gave myself a break before my match today, I would be able to handle it, but I warmed up, and it got a lot worse.”

Cilic 4-6, 4-6, 1-0 *Ruud (*denotes next server)

The Croatian holds to open the third set. He spurned a golden chance to break his opponent at the end of the second. Can he make any progress on the Ruud serve in the third?

Mensik 6-2, 7-6, 3-3 Quinn is a latest score in the men’s singles third round.

Well, here is a bit of meaningful pressure. At 0-30 Cilic gets a stroke of luck, the ball flicking off the net and down on Ruud’s side. Three break points. Ruud saves one point with an ace. Then a big second serve that Cilic sends long. That’s 30-40.

Ruud pumps his fist when he saves the third break point, and again when he serves solidly again to fashion an advantage. It goes back to deuce, Ruud then saves yet another break point, and edges through with an ace to seal the second set.

Ruud has reached three grand slam finals: the French Open twice (2022 and 2023) plus the US Open in 2022. His best result here in Melbourne is the fourth round in 2021.

Cilic 4-6, 4-5 *Ruud (*denotes next server)

Now the 27-year-old Ruud can serve for the set. It doesn’t feel like Cilic is going to be able to apply any meaningful pressure.

*Cilic 4-6, 3-5 Ruud (*denotes next server)

Some more elite serving from the Norwegian. He is playing very fluently and with beautiful rhythm. Cilic must serve to stay in the second set.

Any thoughts on the action, including Djokovic’s earlier win, or anything else? Do send me an email.

Cilic 4-6, 3-4 *Ruud (*denotes next server)

Cilic starts off with a confident serve and volley, the volley being an overhead smash that wins the point quicksmart. A wild backhand return from Ruud, on Cilic’s second serve, makes it 40-15, and an ace seals it.

*Cilic 4-6, 2-4 Ruud (*denotes next server)

The Croatian will serve, seeking to stay in touch in this second set.

It’s approaching 11pm in Melbourne, and the temperature has dropped to about 29C. If the forecast is correct, Tuesday will see daytime temperatures into the early 40s.

Cilic 4-6, 2-3 *Ruud (*denotes next server)

A comfy hold for Cilic. This match looks potentially similar to Djokovic’s win earlier: regular moments of brilliance, but a bit short on genuine drama. We shall see.

*Cilic 4-6, 1-3 Ruud (*denotes next server)

So Ruud holds, and Cilic needs to find something from somewhere in this second set.