United Cup 2025: Karolina Muchova shines as Czech Republic down Casper Ruud's Norway

Through the night at the 2025 United Cup, Karolina Muchova showed exactly why she is a force to be reckoned with in the new season as she anchored Czech Republic to a superb win over Casper Ruud's Norway.

Muchova won 6-2, 6-2 on Day Three against Malene Helgø. She then teamed with Tomas Machac to seal a 2-1 win over Ulrikke Eikeri and Viktor Durasovic. They face Iga Swiatek's Poland on New Years Day in what will bring up a real tantalising tie with Swiatek in singles and likely mixed doubles too alongside Hubert Hurkacz.

It is a real turnaround for the popular Czech star who has gone from being out with injury 12 months ago and not sure when she would return to only returning six months ago. She outclassed her opponent as was expected but dazzled throughout as she did also in Macau in her exhibition start to the season over Christmas.

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A player that is exactly needed in this tournament is one like Muchova who can produce in both singles and doubles and as she showed with Machac, that is very much the case in a nation that also leans on singles stars for their doubles success such as Siniakova and Krejcikova.

"It's the first match of the next year, and you never know how you'll come out and how you're going to feel. I'm very happy to have won in two," first-time United Cup participant Muchova said afterwards

"It's my first time in Sydney, as well, and I'm trying to get used to it. ... It's nice to get the support, to be around Czech friends, and I like it."

While Ruud also impressed in seeing off Machac surviving with six break points served in his win and a real tough examination at times from his opponent. But they were beaten in mixed doubles anyway so all hinges on that Poland tie on Monday.

"It's what you expect for every match," Ruud said. "You kind of hope that it won't be that tough, but what a way to start the new season."

"If every match is going to be this tough, it's going to be a tough [season]," Ruud said. "But happy to start the new season and great to be back in Sydney. I have a lot of good memories from this particular court. I like playing here and I love playing in front of the crowd here."

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