Raphael Collignon Stuns Ruud, Calls US Open Win ‘Best Day of My Life’

Originally posted on Last Word On Sports | By Steen Kirby | Last updated Aug 28, 2025 4:16 AM ET

After reaching the top 100 for the first time this season, 23 year old Belgian Raphael Collignon is into the third round of the US Open, with his two wins this week representing the first Grand Slam main draw victories of his burgeoning career.

Collignon Wins Grand Slam Matches for the First Time This Week

Coming into the clash with #12 seed Casper Ruud, Collignon was a massive underdog. The 23-year-old Belgian carried a modest 2–11 career record at Tour level and had only just earned his first Grand Slam main-draw victory in the opening round against Daniel Elahi Galán. Few would have predicted that Collignon would back it up with a seismic upset.

Ruud, the 2022 US Open finalist, entered with a strong season record of 27–12 despite battling patches of inconsistency in 2025. At Flushing Meadows, he had built a reliable résumé with 14 career wins, and he was a favorite in the match, but the Norwegian faltered at crucial moments, allowing Collignon to seize momentum.

After dropping the second and third sets, Collignon showed remarkable composure, clawing back to level before producing his best tennis in the decider. He sealed the victory 6–4, 3–6, 3–6, 6–4, 7–5, not only eliminating one of the tournament’s perennial contenders but also securing his first career win over a top-20 opponent.

The Next Great Hope for Belgian Tennis

Along with Zizou Bergs, Collignon is the next great hope for Belgian tennis, after the likes of David Goffin, Xaiver Malisse, the Rochus brothers, and his current coach, Steve Darcis. Collignon was not considered to be one of the most hyped junior players, nor did he play NCAA tennis despite being born in Minnesota, United States, where his surgeon father was working at the Mayo Clinic.

Rapidly rising up the rankings, Collignon won two ATP Challenger Titles this season to break into the top 100 for the first time. The third round result at the US Open already has him back to #91 in the world in the live rankings, which would position him to continue to get direct entry into Grand Slams. His 2025 would have been even stronger if he wasn’t battling a thumb injury in the middle of the season. Back at a higher level, Collignon was unphased against the former top 10 player Ruud.

Collignon steadily hit winners in the match and fended off Ruud’s pressure, as the Norwegian admitted after the match that his game is lacking confidence . In the third round, Collignon has an intriguing and winnable contest with another seed, Jiri Lehecka. At this point in his career, finding consistency isn’t always easy for Collignon, but on a good day, he’s good enough to trouble most players on tour. Coming off the “best day of his life”, will this moment of triumph be sustained by Collignon?