Carlos Alcaraz vs Casper Ruud Prediction & Betting Tips - ATP Miami

Prediction published on 02/04/2022, 10:03  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 02/04/2022 at 11:45 in Tennis Predictions

This time 12 months ago, Carlos Alcaraz was the world number 132. He's now up to 12th in the live rankings and faces Casper Ruud in the final of the Miami Masters. Only Rafa Nadal and Daniil Medvedev have earned more ranking points this year than the Spaniard. A win over Ruud will see him climb to second in the APT Race and with the clay court season just around the corner. Alcaraz is bidding to win his second title of the year after success in a clay court event held in Rio de Janiero. His form on hard courts is red hot too though and this run to the Miami final follows his semi-final loss to Nadal at Indian Wells. Alcaraz has won 15 of the 16 matches he's played since the Australian Open, the other being that defeat by Nadal. He's only dropped one set in this tournament (to Miomir Kecmanovic) and has won 11 of his last 13 in straight sets. Wins in this tournament have come against Marton Fucsovics, Marin Cilic (seeded 21st), third seeded Stefanos Tsitsipas, Miomir Kecmanovic and in his semi-final, the defending champion Hubert Hurkacz.

Casper Ruud is in his first Masters final. He's the sixth seed for this tournament and is also bidding to win his second title of the year. His previous win was in a clay court tournament held in Buenos Aries. That was another ATP 250 title for Ruud who has won seven titles at that level but only one on a hard court, the rest being on clay. Winning a Masters 1000 event would be a massive step up for Ruud. He's up to seventh in the world rankings and will stay at that position even if winning this final. Ruud has had never won a match in Miami before this tournament. He's had wins over Henri Laaksonen, 30th seed Alexander Bublik, tenth seeded Cameron Norrie, second seed Alexander Zverev(in three sets) and in his semi-final, Francisco Cerundolo. Ruud has had one previous match against Alcaraz, losing in the last eight of a clay court event held in Marbella last year. Alcaraz has been in top form for a while now and can be backed to win this final. Have a side bet on a tie-break too.