Monte-Carlo 2023: Ruud vs Struff Tennis Prediction and Pick

TennisSection previews the 2023 Monte-Carlo Masters third-round match featuring Casper Ruud vs Jan-Lennard Struff on Thursday, April 13, 2023.

Ruud vs Struff Match Preview and Prediction

Will Casper Ruud get the win? Will Jan-Lennard Struff pull off the upset? This will be an interesting one, where we have one of the best clay courters in the world facing a stern test. Who will triumph and move through to the quarterfinals at the 2023 Monte-Carlo Masters?

Casper Ruud got his opening win over Botic van de Zandschulp, getting revenge for what happened in Miami and booking a date with Jan-Lennard Struff in the Round of 16. Although looking at this matchup in the draw you’d bank on Casper Ruud, he won ugly against van de Zandschulp, making many errors and only making 53% of his first serves. Struff has cruised through so far, and with his playstyle, Ruud could very well be in some serious trouble here at the 2023 Monte-Carlo Masters.

Jan-Lennard Struff knocked out Ramos-Vinolas and de Minaur quite easily, making his return to his beloved clay in excellent fashion. He’s a great clay courter, taking out Andrey Rublev in the first round of the 2021 French Open. Although Casper Ruud may seem like a daunting task, and if he was playing at his best level I’d still expect him to pull through, but he isn’t playing his best at the moment and Struff has an excellent opportunity to take out the 4th seed and move through to the quarterfinals of the 2023 Monte-Carlo Masters.

Ruud vs Struff Prediction and Pick

Casper Ruud and Jan-Lennard Struff have met twice before, with Jan-Lennard Struff leading the head to head 2-0. To add even more pressure, Struff won both of their meetings. Although Ruud was very young and not nearly the player he is today, Struff has the game to beat Ruud, and if he’s on, it’s trouble for the Norwegian as Struff looks to pull off the upset and book a spot in the last eight at the 2023 Monte-Carlo Masters.