Citi Open 2022: Holger Rune vs Jeffrey John Wolf preview, head-to-head, prediction, odds and pick
Match Details
Fixture: (9) Holger Rune vs Jeffrey John Wolf
Date: August 5, 2022
Tournament: Citi Open 2022
Round: Third round (Round of 16)
Venue: Washington, D.C., United States
Category: ATP 500
Surface: Hard
Prize money: $708,530
Live telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | Canada - TSN | Australia - beIN Sports
Holger Rune vs Jeffrey John Wolf preview
Ninth seed Holger Rune will take on Jefferey John Wolf in the third round of the Citi Open on Friday.
Rune has had a good season so far, garnering 28 wins from 48 matches and picking up titles at the Sanremo Challenger and the Bavarian International Tennis Championships. He also reached the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam for the first time in his career at Roland Garros.
The Dane entered the Citi Open on the back of a seven-match losing streak, making early exits at the Halle Open, Eastbourne International, Wimbledon, Nordea Open, Hamburg Open and the Croatia Open in Umag. He broke his dismaying run of form with a re-assuring 6-3, 6-2 win against Benoit Paire in the first round.
Rune breaks 7-game losing streak
Holger Rune beat Benoit Paire in round 2 in Washington - 6-3, 6-2 #CitiOpen 
For a 19-year-old player, it is his first win since beating Stefanos Tsitsipas in the R4 of Roland Garros
💥Rune breaks 7-game losing streak
🇩🇰Holger Rune beat Benoit Paire in round 2 in Washington - 6-3, 6-2 #CitiOpen
👏For a 19-year-old player, it is his first win since beating Stefanos Tsitsipas in the R4 of Roland Garros https://t.co/Udj8DPNxju
Wolf, on the other hand, has amassed 30 wins from 49 matches. He's made a decent name for himself on the ATP Challenger circuit and is trying to establish himself on the main tour.
He reached the semifinals in Phoenix, Savannah and most recently in Orlando — all being tournaments on the ATP Challenger Tour. He also secured a last 16 berth at Indian Wells after entering the Masters 1000 event as a qualifier in March.
The American entered Washington D.C. on the back of early exits at the Indianapolis Challenger and Atlanta Open (qualifiers). He snapped his three-match losing streak with a solid performance against Taro Daniel in the first round and followed it up with an exhilarating 6-2, 6-7(5), 6-3 win against Denis Shapovalov in the second.
It's a party in the USA 🎶 It's a party in the USA 🎶
J.J. Wolf delights the home crowd in Washington by moving past Shapovalov 6-2 6-7(5) 6-3!
#CitiOpen https://t.co/5nCidiX1oS
Holger Rune vs Jeffrey John Wolf head-to-head
Rune and Wolf have never faced each other. Their head-to-head is locked at 0-0.
Holger Rune vs Jeffrey John Wolf odds
All odds are sourced by BetMGM.
Holger Rune vs Jeffrey John Wolf prediction
Despite his shaky form and unpredictable approach to the game, Rune will be the favorite to win this match. He's pulled off some eye-catching performances this year and has more experience on the main tour than his opponent.
The Dane will be pleased with his serving performance in the previous match. He won 82 per cent of his first serve points and held his serve throughout the tie against Benoit Paire. Rune also backed it up with accurate groundstrokes, especially with his crosscourt forehand.
Wolf will know what to expect from the youngster and will need to be at the top of his game. He held his nerve brilliantly against Shapovalov, saving five break points at crucial moments and gaining an early advantage in the third set.
The American has won six (Challenger level) titles on hardcourts in his career and has a decent win ratio on the surface. He'll be determined to reach the quarterfinals on the main tour after falling short in the last 16 twice already this year. If he starts well and maintains his focus, he should be able to cause an upset and outfox Rune in this third-round tie.
Pick: Jeffrey John Wolf to win in three sets.