Cincinnati 2024: Holger Rune vs Matteo Berrettini preview, head-to-head, prediction, and pick | Western & Southern Open
Match Details
Fixture: (15) Holger Rune vs Matteo Berrettini
Date: August 12, 2024
Tournament: Western & Southern Open
Round: First Round (Round of 64)
Venue: Lindner Family Tennis Center, Mason, Ohio, US
Category: ATP Masters 1000
Surface: Outdoor hardcourt
Prize Money: $6,795,555
Live Telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Sky Sports | Canada - TSN+
Holger Rune vs Matteo Berrettini preview
15th seed Holger Rune of Denmark will face wildcard Matteo Berrettini in the first round of the Western & Southern Open 2024 on Monday, August 12, in Cincinnati.
Rune's ranking has plummeted this year, and he has lost his top-10 place. He has won a few matches in most of the big tournaments he has played this year, but has faltered when the competition has gotten stiffer. He reached the Round of 16 of the French Open and Wimbledon and the third round at the Canadian Open.
Berrettini's experience has been the opposite. The 28-year-old Italian has won back-to-back tournaments in the recent past, these being the Swiss Open and the Austrian Open in July. He also reached the final in Stuttgart. However, he will want to start going deep at the bigger tournaments as well.
He lost in the first round of the Miami Open and the Monte-Carlo Masters. He exited Wimbledon in the second round this year; a pretty ordinary run in big tournaments. He should want to reverse the tide in the upcoming tournaments.
Holger Rune vs Matteo Berrettini head-to-head
Rune and Berrettini have played each other thrice so far on tour, with both players winning one match apiece, with Berrettini giving a walkover to Rune at the Monte-Carlo Masters in 2023. Therefore, the 21-year-old Dane leads their head-to-head 2-1.
Holger Rune vs Matteo Berrettini odds
Odds will be updated when available
Holger Rune vs Matteo Berrettini prediction
When on song, Berrettini is a class act to watch. His serve and forehand are of the highest quality and he has improved his down-the-line backhand slice considerably in the recent past. The Italian is a good player at the net, too, which makes the job of his opponents even tougher.
Rune would, therefore, be well-advised to direct a lot of traffic toward Berrettini's backhand, which is somewhat vulnerable. Rune's powerful crosscourt backhand should prove to be an important shot for the Dane. The Italian's better serve gives him the edge in the contest and he might be able to sneak out a victory.
Pick: Berrettini to win in three sets.