Casper Ruud faced a disappointing 3-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 loss to Ben Shelton during the fourth round of the Australian Open on Monday night. However, a significant aspect of Ruud’s defeat is that he can now return home to Norway as his wife, Maria, is expecting their first child due this weekend. Throughout the tournament, Ruud had been preoccupied with her impending labor and had vowed to leave Melbourne immediately if she went into labor.
Ruud had noted earlier, “She’s due later in the tournament…I’ll jump on the first flight home for sure,” demonstrating his commitment as a soon-to-be father. Despite showing promise in the initial rounds and a solid start against Shelton, who is the seventh seed, Ruud was ultimately outmatched, especially as Shelton unleashed his powerful serve, securing victory by winning 29 of his 30 net points.
The tournament has marked an unprecedented trend, with every top six seed in both the men’s and women’s draws reaching the quarter-finals for the first time in the Open era. The early rounds of this year’s Australian Open have seen dominant performances, with most main title contenders advancing with ease.
Among the notable winners, Jannik Sinner continued his impressive form, winning in straight sets against fellow Italian, Luciano Darderi, with a score of 6-1, 6-3, 7-6 (2). Sinner’s previous match had presented some challenges as he suffered from cramps, but he regained his dominance in the heat against Darderi.
In a surprising turn, Novak Djokovic did not compete as planned on Sunday. His match against 20-year-old Jakub Mensik was canceled since Mensik had to withdraw, leaving Djokovic without a chance to perform.
Iga Swiatek, who faced minor struggles earlier in the tournament, displayed her prowess in the fourth round, overpowering Australian qualifier Maddison Inglis with a 6-0, 6-3 win after earlier overcoming a set loss in her third-round encounter.
As the tournament progresses, the quarter-finals showcase a wealth of talent. Swiatek is set to engage in a highly anticipated match against fifth seed Elena Rybakina, highlighting a fierce rivalry that has captivated tennis fans. Other intriguing matches include fourth seed Amanda Anisimova facing Jessica Pegula and a clash between two-time champion Aryna Sabalenka and 18-year-old Iva Jovic. In the men’s draw, Carlos Alcaraz and Sinner appear as front-runners, while Lorenzo Musetti will face Djokovic.
The competition remains robust, providing exciting matchups and thrilling moments as players aim for the prestigious title.