Marin Cilic – Casper Ruud

The lack of tennis was so great that we were a little afraid of over-heating when the first Grand Slam of the year got underway earlier this week. But we've kept our heads cool and our hearts warm, and so far we're at a nice plus in the book.

The Australian Open, perhaps the least recognized Grand Slam tournament, deserves to be talked about more. We don't have the time or space right now, but feel free to read our thoughts on it here .

Marin Cilic – Casper Ruud

We're in the third round, and even though two Norwegians have become one, it's great that our strongest card is still hanging in there. But Cilic is no ordinary player, and the Croatian, like Ruud, has yet to drop a set. So what can we expect?

Marin Cilic – best before, but not bad after

It has been amazing to follow the aging Croatian. Not just during this year's Australian Open, but throughout his career. The 37-year-old has an impressive career to show for it, with a victory at the US Open in 2014, a Wimbledon final in 2017, a final at the Australian Open in 2018 and third place in the world rankings in January 2018. Not everyone is blessed with such a track record, and it deserves applause. But it has been a long time since 2018 now.

Because Cilic has gotten older. And in addition to being over the height of a midday meal, he is also big and heavy. That has its challenges. But still, he has had a new spring, and what he has shown so far in the Australian Open has been impressive. He serves better than most, and he has consistently kept an impressive length in his shots. Against Shapovalov, he dotted the balls into the lines both to the right and left, and 3-0 against such a good hard-court player is very strong.

But is he allowed to stand and dictate points in the same style against our dear compatriot?

Casper Ruud - Going for a personal best

As a Norwegian, it is very exciting to see Ruud here in the Australian Open, and there are signs that he can improve his personal best (4th round). For a long time, people thought that his performance was a fluke, and his ranking was artificially high, but this year he has proven the skeptics wrong. Some are also talking about him being able to make it deep into week two.

The surface here in Melbourne is very fast. Which is really only in Cilic's favor. But Ruud has shown that he is more than just red clay, and he was also in the final of the US Open in 2022. The same year that he was No. 2 in the world. And even though Ruud is not quite there now, he shows at times that he can measure strength with the best. And with a new child on the way, the Norwegian is shining in competition with the Australian sun.

Ruud should have a realistic hope of moving on from here. With his enormous mobility, he is difficult to play out, and if he is allowed to dictate the game with his forehand, few can match him. His extreme topspin can also create a curl for today's opponent. In addition, let's not forget that Ruud has made strides, both in terms of serve and backhand.

But will he be able to break the Croatian?

Conclusion – advantage Ruud

It is difficult to look past the mutual history that says 4-0 to Ruud. But on hard court the matches have been close. While one match went to three sets, the other ended with a total of 23 games over two sets. Much thanks to the Croatian's serve. Because with 8338 serves in his career, points on 75% of his first serves and considering that he wins 84% ​​of his serve games, Ruud will have a tough time. And if the match goes to a tiebreak, it will be Cilic's advantage.

So for Ruud it's about getting Cilic moving. Get him running from side to side. But the Croatian has tremendous power in his groundstrokes, and he's good at the net. His serve +1 is very deadly.

I believe, and hope, that Ruud will win the match, but I don't think it will be as easy as the bookmakers suggest. And if we get four sets, or two out of three sets to tiebreak, then this bet should be fine;

Tennis at 11:00: Cilic – Ruud: Over 35.5 games (1.68)