Japan Open 2024: Casper Ruud vs Jordan Thompson preview, head-to-head, prediction, odds and pick
Match Details
Fixture: (3) Casper Ruud vs Jordan Thompson
Date: September 26, 2024
Tournament: Japan Open 2024
Round: First Round (Round of 32)
Venue: Ariake Coliseum, Tokyo, Japan
Category: ATP 500
Surface: Hard
Prize Money: $1,818,380
Live Telecast: USA - ESPN | UK - Sky Sports | Canada - TSN
Casper Ruud vs Jordan Thompson preview
Third seed Casper Ruud will take on Jordan Thomspon in the first round of the Japan Open on Thursday.
Ruud has been one of the most consistent players on tour this year. He's chalked up 48 wins from 65 matches, including a title triumph in the Barcelona Open. He also secured runner-up finishes in Los Cabos, Acapulco, and Monte-Carlo, where he lost to Stefanos Tsitsipas in the final.
The Norwegian will enter Tokyo after a fourth-round exit in New York and a title-winning run in the Laver Cup. He outfoxed the likes of Gael Monfils and Junchen Chang in the US Open, but couldn't make his mark against Taylor Fritz. The American defeated Ruud in a four-set 3-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-2.
Jordan Thompson, meanwhile, has had a season filled with ups and downs. He's chalked up 31 wins from 52 matches, including a title-winning run in the Los Cabos Open and a runner-up finish in the Atlanta Open. He also reached the semifinals of the Brisbane International and Queens Club Championships, where he lost to Lorenzo Musetti in three sets.
Thompson will enter Tokyo after a fourth-round exit in New York. He defeated the likes of Hubert Hurkacz and Matteo Arnaldi en route to the last 16 but came up shy against Alex De Minaur. His fellow countryman De Minaur outclassed him in four sets, 6-0, 3-6, 6-3, 7-5.
Casper Ruud vs Jordan Thompson head-to-head
Casper Ruud leads the head-to-head against Jordan Thomspon 3-2. He defeated the Norwegian most recently in the 2024 Barcelona Open.
Casper Ruud vs Jordan Thompson odds
Odds will be updated when available.
Casper Ruud vs Jordan Thompson prediction
Casper Ruud reached the semifinals of the French Open but failed to impress in the remaining three Majors. The Norwegian reached four finals on tour but has only captured one title this year. He will be among the favorites to make a deep run in Tokyo and hope to find his best potential on the hardcourts.
Thompson, on the other hand, has chipped in with impressive results this year. He defeated tennis legend Rafael Nadal at the start of the year and also humbled World No. 2 Alexander Zverev in Los Cabos. The Australian is known for his patient all-around game and accurate groundstrokes off both wings.
Ruud and Thompson have already faced each other twice this year and shared the honors. A tricky encounter could be on the cards with Ruud having a slight edge due to his current momentum. The third seed will enter with a feel-good factor from a Laver Cup win with Team Europe. He should be able to edge past Thompson in the first round.
Pick: Ruud wins in three sets.