Estoril Open 2023: Ruud vs Sousa Tennis Prediction, Odds & Pick

TennisSection previews the 2023 Estoril Open second-round match featuring Casper Ruud vs Joao Sousa on Wednesday, April 5, 2023.

Ruud vs Sousa Match Preview

Casper Ruud is in desperate need of a confidence booster. Can he get that win at the Estoril Open when he takes on home favorite Joao Sousa?

It’s Casper Ruud’s favorite spot on the ATP calendar. But is he really looking forward to this year’s clay-court swing? Outside the ranking points he will need to defend in the next couple of months, Ruud is actually fighting to salvage his season and potentially ensure his career does not spiral out of control. Obviously, it’s too early to make such exaggerated conclusions, but a poor couple of months on his beloved surface and the alarm bells will start ringing. Let’s see if he can get off to a winning start at the Estoril Open.

Joao Sousa, meanwhile, earned a shock win in his opening match at the 2023 Estoril Open. He defeated an in-form Giulio Zeppieri in three sets to pick up his first win here since 2019. Sousa is a legend of Portuguese men’s tennis and is the only home champion at this tournament. But his run this week is likely to come to an end on Wednesday.

Ruud vs Sousa Prediction and Pick

Casper Ruud leads Joao Sousa 3-0 in their head-to-head, with all three wins coming on clay. It’s never ideal to play a home favorite in his own backyard, but if there was an opponent Ruud would have handpicked to play against in his opening match this week it would be Sousa. Sousa grinds down opponents on this surface, something Ruud does meticulously well. Although the Norwegian is not in top form, for now, he’ll still have enough class to subdue the Portuguese veteran.