Casper Ruud wasted no time putting things right. In his opening match at the Madrid Masters 1000, the Norwegian produced a statement performance against Jaume Munar, swatting him aside 6-0, 6-1 in just 1h05. It was a clean, commanding win, and one that meant far more than a simple place in the third round. After retiring in Monte-Carlo, Ruud needed to prove his body was back in working order. He did it in the most convincing way possible, completely smothering the Spaniard and reminding everyone that he is the defending champion in the Spanish capital for a reason.
A much-anticipated return after Monte-Carlo
This comeback carried plenty of weight for the world No 15. Leaving Monte-Carlo early had naturally raised a few questions around Ruud. In Madrid, he needed to reset mentally and make sure the body was ready to go again. On clay, his best surface, the Norwegian was after a clean match: no alarms, no physical dip, no wobble.
It was not a straightforward test, either. Munar is a clay-court player who can drag rallies out and drag opponents into trouble if they give him even a sliver of room. Ruud never gave him that opening. From the first few games, he took charge of the exchanges, set the tempo, locked down his service games and created a one-sided contest. Very quickly, it stopped being a match and became a procession.
A one-sided opening set
The first set was brutal. In 21 minutes, Ruud blew Munar away and left him with no hope at all. Just three unforced errors, no break points faced, steady ball-striking and, above all, the ability to take the ball early and stop the Spaniard from settling into any rhythm. The 6-0 scoreline left no room for argument.
In matches like this, the difference is not only on the scoreboard but in the picture it paints on court. And that picture was crystal clear: Ruud was sharper, cleaner and far more secure in everything he did. Munar, back from a recent arm injury, looked well short of the pace. He never found a way to break Ruud’s rhythm or plant any doubt in his mind. Every rally seemed to end the same way: Ruud in control, Munar chasing.
The Norwegian kept the heat on
After a set wrapped up so quickly, plenty of players would drift a little. Ruud did no such thing. The second set featured a few more mistakes, but it never threatened his grip on the match. What stood out was how focused he stayed, determined to spend as little time as possible on court and keep something in the tank for what comes next.
It was smart management. Ruud was not out there chasing highlights. He played the right shots, stayed disciplined and never got distracted. The 6-1 finish reflected that desire to control everything, from the scoreline to the energy he spent. For a player coming off a recent scare, this was close to ideal: a short match, no drama, no flat spells and the feeling that he had dictated every point from start to finish.
Madrid still suits Ruud perfectly
The win also backs up something bigger: Ruud clearly feels at home in Madrid. This victory over Munar was his seventh straight win at the tournament. That is no small detail. Some events just fit certain players, with the conditions, the altitude, the speed of the clay and the way the ball comes through the court all falling into place. Madrid plainly sits in that bracket for him.
His record against Munar says plenty too. By beating him for the seventh time in eight meetings, Ruud underlined his hold over the Spaniard. He had already beaten him at the Australian Open earlier in the season, that time in a three-set battle. In Madrid, on his favoured surface, he gave suspense no chance. This was not a tight contest. It was a blunt reminder of who owns this head-to-head.
A tougher third round awaits against Davidovich Fokina
What comes next will be a different challenge altogether. In the third round, Ruud will face another Spaniard, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, who beat Pablo Carreño Busta in straight sets. That will be a far sterner test. Davidovich Fokina brings more variety, more movement and more chaos in the rally. Ruud will need to raise his level again if he is to keep moving through the draw.
But the key work has already been done. He came through his first match fit, found his footing in Madrid straight away and sent a clear message to the rest of the field. The defending champion is here, and he has begun his 2026 campaign with the cold efficiency of a player who knows exactly why he came: to go deep, and maybe, just maybe, repeat last year’s run.
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Bagel and breadstick 🥯🥖@CasperRuud98 kicks off his Madrid title defense with a comprehensive 6-0 6-1 win vs Munar!#MMOpen pic.twitter.com/mAjkEHXWtO
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) April 25, 2026
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