Basel 2024: Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Francisco Cerundolo preview, head-to-head, prediction, odds and pick | Swiss Indoors
Match Details
Fixture: (3) Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Francisco Cerundolo
Date: October 22, 2024
Tournament: Swiss Indoors 2024
Round: First-round (Round of 32)
Venue: St. Jakobshalle, Basel, Switzerland
Category: ATP 500
Surface: Hard-court (Indoor)
Prize Money: €2,385,100
Live Telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Sky Sports | Canada - TSN
Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Francisco Cerundolo preview
Third seed Stefanos Tsitsipas is set to kick off his 2024 Swiss Indoors campaign with a challenging first-round clash against Francisco Cerundolo on Tuesday, October 22.
Tsitsipas has endured a lackluster season by his lofty standards, as reflected in his 40-20 match record. While he found success on clay, winning the Monte Carlo title and reaching the final in Barcelona, consistency has eluded him.
His performances in the second half of the year have been particularly disappointing as he has won just three of his last eight matches across the North American and Asian hardcourt swings. He took part at the European Open last, where he defeated Thiago Seyboth Wild in the first round before falling in a lackluster 6-4, 6-4 defeat to eventual runner-up Jiri Lehecka.
Cerundolo, meanwhile, holds a 31-28 match record this season, highlighted by a title in Umag where he overcame Lorenzo Musetti in the final. He also made the semifinals in Rio and reached the quarterfinals in Madrid and Hamburg. One of his most impressive results came at the French Open, where he pushed Novak Djokovic to five sets in the fourth round.
Cerundolo, like Tsitsipas, has struggled in the latter half of the year, winning just one match in both the North American and Asian hardcourt swings. He has, however, found some form recently, with a semifinal finish in Almaty, Kazakhstan, last week.
Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Francisco Cerundolo head-to-head
Stefanos Tsitsipas and Francisco Cerundolo have yet to face off in professional competition. A such, their head-to-head stands at 0-0.
Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Francisco Cerundolo odds
(Odds sourced from BetMGM)
Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Francisco Cerundolo prediction
Stefanos Tsitsipas has struggled to find his best form in recent months, particularly on hardcourts, where he holds a modest 16-12 record this season. His best result on the surface so far is a single semifinal appearance. The indoor hardcourts in Basel, however, could favor Tsitsipas' aggressive baseline game, which is complemented by his impressive net play.
Francisco Cerundolo has also had a tough time on hard courts, with most of his success coming on clay. He holds a modest 10-12 record on hardcourts this year and has yet to win more than two consecutive matches on the surface. A baseline slugger, Cerundolo has often struggled with the pace on hardcourts, particularly due to his vulnerable second serve.
Despite his recent poor form, Tsitsipas enters this matchup as the favorite. He has had a more consistent season overall and is expected to capitalize on Cerundolo's inconsistencies on hardcourts.
Pick: Tsitsipas in three sets.