Andy Murray vs Casper Ruud Prediction & Betting Tips - San Diego, USA, Qualifying

Prediction published on 29/09/2021, 08:38  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 29/09/2021 at 09:39 in Tennis Predictions

Andy Murray continues his comeback but again he has a tough draw. He takes on second seeded Casper Ruud in the second round of the San Diego Open. Murray is trying to build on his run to the last eight in Metz last week. He beat Ugo Humbert in that tournament and his win over the Frenchman, who was ranked 26th at the time, is the best win he's had in terms of players rankings this year. He eventually lost to Hubert Hurkacz who went on to win that tournament. This week began with him in 109th place in the rankings but he's dropped down to 117th in the live rankings.  In the first round of this event, Murray beat Denis Kudla in straight sets.  This is going to be a lot tougher though but will be another good indication of how well he is progressing. 

Casper Ruud began the week as the world number 10, a rise of 17 places this year. He's ninth in the ATP Race to Milan, so a good run in this event and particularly at the upcoming Indian Wells tournament could easily see him in the ATP Tour Finals. Ruud had a good clay court season with three semi-finals and victory in Geneva, Bastad, Gstaad and Kitzbuhel. Away from that surface he has recently reached the last eight of Masters events in Toronto and Cincinnati. A first ATP tournament win on a hard court surface would be a big event for Ruud. He can beat Murray to progress to a third round match against either Sebastian Korda or eighth seeded Lorenzo Sonego.