This should be an entertaining tennis match. Casper Ruud and Ugo Humbert have been playing some impressive tennis so far this week and it has been a competitive rivalry between the two thus far. As always, we here at LWOT will be offering our prediction for the match, but who will come out on top?
Head-to-head: Humbert 3-2 Ruud
Ruud will likely be disappointed with how the last two years have gone, but will also no doubt be determined to end this year on a high and has the chance to do so here at the ATP Stockholm Open after wins over Marin Cilic, Sebastian Korda, and Denis Shapovalov – dropping just one set in the process. That is as tough route as any into the final at an ATP 250 event, but Ruud’s task will get no easier when he faces off against Humbert.
The Frenchman has, after all, won three of their five meetings – albeit his most recent win was five years ago – and been fine form so far this week. The Frenchman opened his campaign by dismissing Matteo Berrettini before being taken the distance by Lorenzo Sonego. He was then on the backfoot in the semifinals only for Holger Rune to pick up an injury, possibly to his Achilles’, that left the Dane unable to play on and sent Humbert into the final.
This has the makings of a close contest with all five of their previous matches having gone the distance. But Ruud has probably been playing the better tennis recently and has looked sharper so far this week. Humbert’s left-handed serve and forehand could cause Ruud some problems, with the Norwegian’s backhand not his best shot. But if Ruud can get his forehand into play early in the rallies and dictate from the baseline, he should have just about enough firepower to get past Humbert.
Prediction: Ruud in 3
More must-reads:
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!