Day 2 of the 2026 tennis season features a packed slate of United Cup tournaments, including a matchup between Australia’s Alex de Minaur and Norway’s Casper Ruud. France also takes the court.
Alex de Minaur (AUS) vs. Casper Ruud (NOR)
Shockingly, De Minaur and Ruud will be facing each other for only the fourth time in their careers and the second since 2019 when they clash in Saturday’s United Cup between Australia and Norway. De Minaur leads the head-to-head series 2-1 (2-0 on the grand tour) after a recent 6-4, 6-4 victory in the 2024 Acapulco final.
The seventh-ranked Aussie should once again have the upper hand on how he finished last year and with the opportunity to play on his home courts in Sydney. De Minaur made his second appearance at the Nitto ATP Finals in November and qualified for the semis before falling to eventual champion Jannik Sinner. Ruud dropped to 12th in the standings, although at least he was able to lift the trophy in Stockholm at the end of the season. The Norwegian won’t go down without a fight – but on a tough field in Australia, the edge goes to De Minaur.
Pick: De Minaur at 3
Arthur Rinderknech (FRA) vs. Stan Wawrinka (SUI)
Wawrinka is scheduled for the first match of his final season on tour, having just announced his retirement from tennis. The farewell tour will begin for the 40-year-old Swiss when he faces Rinderknech for the first time in his career on Saturday. Wawrinka is down to No. 157 in the world after winning only four ATP level matches in 2025.
Rinderknech is also 30 years old – but his career seems to be on the rise. The world No. 29 was part of tennis’s biggest headlines in 2025, as he nearly reached the final of the Shanghai Masters alongside first cousin Valentin Vacherot (Vacherot won in three sets). Rinderknech faded a bit after that, but the offseason should get him back in business. Although, Wawrinka can make this match competitive, Rinderknech will have an advantage if it becomes a visible three setter.
Pick: Rinderknech at 3
