TennisSection previews the 2022 Rome Open as Casper Ruud takes on Botic van de Zandschulp in the second round on Tuesday, May 10th, 2022.
Casper Ruud has looked vulnerable at his strongest surface. He has lost four times on the clay this season, including to his Tuesday opponent Botic van de Zandschulp. So will lightning strike twice at the Rome Open?
Casper Ruud’s record of one win in his last four matches has raised a few eyebrows, particularly when you consider that it has all happened on his beloved clay. Ruud’s defeat to DusanLajovic in Madrid was unexpected, as was his shock quarterfinal loss to Botic van de Zandschulp in Munich. He will earn a shot at redemption at the Rome Open when he squares off against the Dutchman, but has the damage been done as far as Ruud’smomentum for the French Open is concerned?
Botic van de Zandschulp has played a fine clay-court season. Having garnered the aforementioned mammoth win over Ruudin Munich, the Dutchwoman went all the way into his first ATP final. But he was unfortunate to experience some breathing difficulties which prompted him to retire from the final against Holger Rune. While that was a massive dagger to van de Zandschulp’s heart, he will take plenty of positives with the way he has competed with some of the best players in the world. Last year he was virtually an unknown player, but he hasmade giantstrides in his bid to become an established top 50 player.
Botic van de Zandschulp has a surprise 2-0 lead over Casper Ruud in the series. He defeated the Norwegian at last year’s US Open and most recently at in Munich. While the head-to-head cannot be discounted, Ruud’s superior clay-court mastery should hold him in good stead. He hasn’t played with distinction just yet on the European clay, so he could be due for a deep run at the Rome Open.
Free Tennis Pick and Prediction: Casper Ruud to win in 3 sets.
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