Marin Cilic vs Casper Ruud LIVE Score, AO Open 2026: Former No.2 Takes On Croatian Favourite In Round 3 Clash

Third set underway and Marin Cilic finally gets on the board first, holding serve to lead 1-0. He’ll be glad to see that scoreboard moving again after that heartbreak at the end of the second.

But here’s the big question, can he turn that frustration into a breakthrough now? Ruud is walking out to serve, and after escaping all those break points earlier, Cilic will feel this is the moment to strike. Pressure back on, and this decider already feels spicy.

Ruud holds his nerve and grabs the second set 6-4 to level this one up. The final game is pure drama, net-cord luck hands Cilic three break points, but Ruud swats one away with an ace, saves another with a brave second serve, and keeps punching the air as he survives again and again.

One last ace seals it. Set all now, and the three-time Grand Slam finalist suddenly has all the momentum heading into the decider.

Second set back in motion, and Casper Ruud is right back to business. Cilic pinched the opener 6-4, but look at this now, Ruud sprinting ahead 5-3 and serving next, calm as you like.

The Norwegian is in that gorgeous rhythm mode, landing bombs, gliding through points, barely breaking sweat. This is elite-level serving on repeat.

Big moment coming up though. Cilic walks up to the line knowing this is survival time, hold here or the set is gone.

The first set is done and dusted! It was a hard-fought set by Casper Ruud kept his nerve and won the first set by 6-4. We're now into the second set with Ruud leading 1-0.

Cilic 0-1 Ruud

After being pushed to the corner, Cilic has a good comeback to give a tough fight to Ruud. Though, the Norwegian still has got the edge, the Croatian is still not far behind.

Set 1

Cilic 4-5 Ruud

After conceding an early game, Ruud has made an excellent comeback in the 1st set as he takes his lead to 3-1. The former No.2 clearly showing why he's had an upper hand over Cilic in the last few matches.

Set

Cilic 1-3 Ruud

Both players have held on their serve as the score moves to 1-0 in the 1st set in the favour of Marin Cilic.

Marin Cilic: The Croat clobbered Daniel Altmaier (6-0, 6-0, 7-6) and Denis Shapovalov (6-4, 6-3, 6-2) in first and second round respectively in straight sets.

Casper Ruud: The former No.3 also pipped both his opponents - Belluci M (6-1, 6-2, 6-4) and Munar J (6-4, 7-5, 6-4) in three straight sets,

Matches: 4

Marin Cilic: 0

Casper Ruud: 4

Hello Tennis fans! Welcome to the live coverage of the round three of the Australian Open 2026 between Marin Cilic and Casper Ruud. Stay tuned with us for the live score and real-time updates of the match.