The first round competition in Stockholm continues on Tuesday with a family affair with Elias Ymer and Mikael Ymer. Another match is the story of two different generations, with Marin Cilic taking on Nicolai Budkov Kjaer.
(WC) E. Ymer versus (WC) M. Ymer
The Ymer brothers will compete against each other for the third time in their careers and for the first time in a decade when they face off in the first round of the Nordic Open on Tuesday. Elias has won both previous encounters; 6-4, 7-5 at a 2014 clay-court Futures event in Sweden and via retirement in the second set at a 2015 Challenger event.
It might be seen as bad luck that they face each other straight away in Stockholm, but the reality is that it is probably good news for the family. The fact that any of these guys will be playing in the second round of an ATP level tournament is borderline ridiculous. Elias, ranked No. 243, is on an eight-match losing streak; he hasn’t won a match since July. Mikael, ranked 617 after missing all of 2024 due to a doping suspension, has not won a match since Wimbledon in 2023. While none of his recent wins have been good, at least Mikael won at all. He should have the lead on Tuesday.
Choice: M. Ymer in 2
(NG) Nicolai Budkov Kjaer vs. Marin Cilic
Cilic turned back the clock this summer with a fourth-round win at Wimbledon as he upset Jack Draper along the way. The 37-year-old Croatian has cooled off considerably since that result, with a 1-7 record in his last eight games. Cilic played well in a straight-set loss to Novak Djokovic in the second round of Shanghai, so he’s not completely hopeless these days.
First up on Tuesday is an opponent just over half his age: 19-year-old Budkov Kjaer. The Norwegian has won 50 matches at all levels this season, including 22 indoors, and ranks 136th in his career. Budkov Kjaer has won four Challenger titles in 2025, three of which have come since mid-July. Look for the youngster to get the best out of the veteran in what should be an entertaining match.
Choice: Budkov Kjaer in 3
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