Casper Ruud vs Francisco Cerundolo Prediction & Betting Tips - ATP Barcelona

Prediction published on 20/04/2023, 04:45  by Devesh Jaganath | Modified on 20/04/2023 at 07:40 in Tennis Predictions

The Round of 16 in the ATP Barcelona is set to get underway and in our featured match, we will see Casper Ruud look to continue his good clay court form when he takes on Francisco Cerundolo on Thursday. Ranked third in the world, Ruud is looking to bounce back from his disappointment in Monte Carlo and has started off well, beating Ben Shelton in straight sets in his tournament opener (6-2 7-6). In that match, Ruud showed signs of the form that won him the clay court tournament in Estoril a couple of weeks ago, where he overcame the likes of Miomir Kecmanovic and Sebastian Baez. Now with a record of 6-1 on the clay this year, Ruud will be out for revenge over an opponent that has gotten the better of him once before on this surface. 

Despite being ranked 32nd in the world, almost 30 places behind his opponent, Cerundolo will still have fond memories of the previous matchup, where he managed to grind out a three-set win on the clay courts in Sweden last year. The Argentine got off to an excellent start at his last tournament in Monte Carlo, beating Cameron Norrie in the first round, but failed to follow up against Matteo Berrettini and bowed out after three sets. Cerundolo is now 6-5 on this surface for the year, with his best finishes coming in Buenos Aires and, more recently, at the Miami Masters, reaching the quarter-final stage on both occasions. However, going up against one of the world's best in this one, Cerundolo will know he’s going to have to put on an incredible performance to stand a chance against this opponent.