Jason Collins
Dailysports's expert
Casper Ruud
Andrey Rublev
In this high-stakes match at the ATP Finals in Turin, both Casper Ruud and Andrey Rublev are under pressure to secure a win that could lead them to the semifinals.
Casper Ruud
The Norwegian started with a stunning victory over Carlos Alcaraz, winning 6-1, 7-5, even taking the second set after being down 3-5. Ruud showed resilience but fell short in his second match against Alexander Zverev, losing 3-6, 6-7. At nearly 26 and ranked seventh in the world, Ruud has been inconsistent, performing best on clay. However, his form here offers a promising chance at making the semifinals.
Andrey Rublev
Rublev, initially expected to be a reserve, found himself in the main draw following Djokovic's absence. Despite his opportunity, he lost both matches, first to Zverev (4-6, 4-6) and then to Alcaraz (3-6, 6-7). Despite these setbacks, Rublev still has a shot at advancing, but he needs to win decisively in straight sets.
At 27 and currently the world’s eighth-ranked player, Rublev has been competing at a high level for years. However, he’s notorious for his emotional instability, especially in tense match moments, which often impacts his performance in critical rounds.
Match Facts
- Ruud has won 23 out of 38 matches on hard courts this season.
- Rublev has claimed victory in 32 of his 49 matches on hard courts.
- Odds: Ruud – 2.55, Rublev – 1.53.
Head-to-Head
Rublev leads their head-to-head with a 6-2 record. However, Ruud has defeated Rublev in both of their previous ATP Finals encounters, which could give him a psychological edge.
Prediction
Rublev is the favorite on paper, largely due to his head-to-head lead. However, Ruud’s success on Finals courts makes this match a close call. Given the stakes and the competitiveness of both players, this clash is likely to be a tight battle. Bet on over 22.5 games for a high probability of a long, intense match.
