Day 2 of the 2026 tennis season features a jam-packed slate of United Cup competition, including a showdown between Australia’s Alex de Minaur and Norway’s Casper Ruud. France is also taking the court.
Alex de Minaur (AUS) vs. Casper Ruud (NOR)
Shockingly, De Minaur and Ruud will be facing each other for just the fourth time in their careers and for the second time since 2019 when they collide in Saturday’s United Cup tie between Australia and Norway. De Minaur leads the head-to-head series 2-1 (2-0 on the main tour) after most recently prevailing 6-4, 6-4 in the 2024 Acapulco final.
The seventh-ranked Aussie should once again have the upper hand based on how he ended last year and given that he has home-court advantage in Sydney. De Minaur made a second Nitto ATP Finals appearance in November and qualified for the semis before falling to eventual champion Jannik Sinner. Ruud slumped to 12th in the rankings, although he at least managed to lift a trophy in Stockholm toward the end of the season. The Norwegian won’t go away without a fight — but on a hard court in Australia, the edge goes to De Minaur.
Pick: De Minaur in 3
Arthur Rinderknech (FRA) vs. Stan Wawrinka (SUI)
Wawrinka is set for his first match of his last season on tour, having recently announced his upcoming retirement from tennis. The farewell tour will begin for the 40-year-old Swiss when he goes head-to-head against Rinderknech for the first time in their careers on Saturday. Wawrinka is down at No. 157 in the world after winning only four ATP-level matches in 2025.
Rinderknech is somewhat of a veteran, too, at 30 years old — but his career only appears to be going up. The world No. 29 was part of one of tennis’ biggest stories in 2025, as he improbably reached the Shanghai Masters final along with first cousin Valentin Vacherot (Vacherot won in three sets). Rinderknech faded a bit down the stretch thereafter, but an offseason of rest should have him back in business. Although, Wawrinka can make this match competitive, Rinderknech would have the advantage if it becomes a physical three-setter.
Pick: Rinderknech in 3
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De Minaur in 3, Rinderknech in 2
Demon in 2; Rknech in a tight 3