Casper Ruud Battles Marin Cilic in ATP Stockholm Open Round of 16

STOCKHOLM, Sweden — Second seed Casper Ruud will face former US Open champion Marin Cilic in the Round of 16 at the 2025 ATP Stockholm Open on Wednesday, October 15. Ruud, currently ranked No. 12 in the world, received a bye in the previous round, while Cilic advanced after winning in straight sets.

Ruud, 26, is a three-time Grand Slam finalist, with his most notable achievement this year being his win at the Madrid Masters in May. He has struggled at times this season, only winning five matches in his first five tournaments. Despite this, his recent performance includes a semifinal appearance in Tokyo, bringing his season record to 33-14.

Cilic, ranked No. 92, has also faced challenges this year but showed signs of resurgence after a disappointing start. He managed to serve 140 aces this season and won his last match against Nicolai Budkov Kjaer in Stockholm with scores of 7-5 and 6-3, highlighting his continued potential on the hard court.

The two players have met three times before, with Ruud winning all their previous matches, including their last encounter at the 2022 Roland Garros Championships. However, Cilic’s experience and ability to adapt might make this match more competitive.

Ruud’s outdoor hard court success rate is commendable, with an 85% service game success rate. However, he’ll need to ensure he stays fit; he recently had to retire from his opening match in Shanghai due to injury.

As they prepare for their clash, Cilic may look to capitalize on any inconsistencies in Ruud’s play. The 37-year-old Croatian is known for his powerful flat groundstrokes and maneuvering on the court, potentially using the indoor surface to his advantage.

Prediction: Marin Cilic in three sets.