Rafael Nadal vs Casper Ruud Prediction & Betting Tips - ATP Finals

Prediction published on 16/11/2022, 08:36  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 17/11/2022 at 00:00 in Tennis Predictions

Casper Ruud has already qualified for the semi-finals but will want to beat eliminated Rafael Nadal in this final group game. There's still a lot of incentive for Ruud to win this match. Winning this match and then reaching the final will take him above Nadal into second place in the rankings. There's also a lot of money for winning this match with $383,000 for the winner. Ruud has had wins over Felix Auger-Aliassime and Taylor Fritz to ensure his place in the last four of the ATP Tour Finals for the second year in a row.  He's only had one previous meeting with Rafael Nadal. That was in this year's Roland Garros final with Nadal winning the five-setter for the loss of only six games.

That was on clay though and Nadal is of course far stronger on that surface, especially at Roland Garros. Nadal began this tournament as the top seed, even though he's never won the Tour Finals. He won't this year either after losing to both Taylor Fritz and Felix Auger-Aliassime. He hasn't won a set either and that means he's already out of the tournament. Nor can he finish the year at number one in the rankings. He's not even the Spanish number one with Alcaraz now top of the rankings. Nadal hasn't been anywhere near his best since returning from his latest injury and has now lost his last four matches. Go for Ruud to get the win here.