Casper Ruud vs Francisco Cerundolo Prediction, Picks, Odds, H2H, July 31st

Our first preview of the day comes from the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. It’s Casper Ruud vs Francisco Cerundolo in a clay court clash that will help decide which man takes a step closer to the podium and winning a medal for their country. Jon Reid’s Ruud vs Cerundolo prediction at 1.93 odds is available below!

Cerundolo’s win probability is about 37.5%, while Ruud is favoured to win at 1.53 odds. The handicap is three games and the total games line is 22.

Casper Ruud vs Francisco Cerundolo Prediction: Trust Ruud Off Tough Match Against Argentine Opponent

• Prediction: Ruud -3 Games
• Best Odds: 1.93
• Bookmaker: Pinnacle
• Stakes: 3/10

Odds updated at 1:30 am UK Time on July 31st, 2024. 

Trusting Ruud to get things done as a favourite, especially against the handicap, can be a frustrating exercise.

Known for his famously topspin-heavy forehand, Ruud is a clay courter through and through, without any really powerful weapon to help him out and finish points. His serve has improved a lot in the last two years, but on the clay courts, it’s not going to generate all that many cheap points.

He should be able to outlast his opponent on Wednesday though.

Cerundolo has played a lot of tennis of late and though he’s played the Norwegian tough in the past, I think he’d need to win this one in straight sets to really have a shot at causing the upset. The longer this goes, the tougher it’ll be on someone who has been on court as much as him.

Not to mention, the weight with which Ruud hits his shots can really eat up one’s energy supply when trying to send those balls back.

I’m going to side with one of the best clay court players in the world here with a handicap that is more than manageable. Our Ruud vs Cerundolo prediction is for Ruud to cover the games handicap.

You can find more tennis previews over on the expert insights page.

Casper Ruud Recent Form

Though he’s gotten off to a slow start in his last two matches, Ruud has found his rhythm and seized control of both contests to reach this point and I wouldn’t be surprised if he exerts his control over this one as it goes either.

His opponent has played a lot of tennis of late, and unlike the last round where he played a strong server that employs the odd serve-and-volley technique – something barely seen on quicker courts anymore, let alone clay where it is much less effective – he’ll be playing a more typical baseliner this time around.

That’s not to say that Andrea Vavassori is better than Cerundolo, simply that his awkward style simply required more time to get used to. Once Ruud found his footing and got used to the Italian’s game, he was able to win the second and third sets relatively comfortably.

Cerundolo is by no means underpowered, but I don’t think Ruud will fear the forehand exchanges in this matchup and Roland Garros evening conditions shouldn’t make the world No. 26’s serve too tough to deal with.

Francisco Cerundolo Recent Form

It’s been a topsy-turvy season for Cerundolo, who has made a few nice runs at big events, but has also found himself dumped out of a decent number of tournaments in the early stages.

This stretch post-Wimbledon has been good to the 25-year-old, as he’s warmed up for this event with a pair of tournaments, losing just once. Now, with the post-Wimbledon clay draws being a bit easier, he’s only got two really impressive wins – with one against an Andrey Rublev who is in a world of hurt at the moment – but this kind of form is certainly something he’ll welcome.

The flip side of that, of course, is that he’s played a lot of tennis in the last week or so. He played everyday from the 24th of July to the 29th, with Tuesday being his first off day in a while.

Several of those matches ended up being three setters and ending either 7-5 or 7-6 in that deciding set, including Monday’s tilt with Ugo Humbert.

Now taking on his toughest test in a few weeks on this surface, let’s see if he can score another big win, or if the time on court catches up with him.

Casper Ruud vs Francisco Cerundolo H2H – Stat of the Match

Ruud has had problems in this matchup in the past. Cerundolo certainly won’t shy away when on his preferred surface and has beaten Ruud twice on the dirt in years past.

Ruud did win their last encounter on the red stuff though in Rome in 2023 and will look to extend his win streak on the clay against Cerundolo to two on Wednesday with a spot in the quarters on the line.

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