Munich 2021: Casper Ruud vs Pablo Cuevas preview, head-to-head & prediction | BMW Open
Match details
Fixture: (2) Casper Ruud vs Pablo Cuevas
Date: 28 April 2021
Tournament: BMW Open 2021
Round: Second round (Round of 16)
Venue: Munich, Germany
Category: ATP 250
Surface: Red clay
Prize money: €419,470
Live telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Amazon Prime Video
Casper Ruud vs Pablo Cuevas preview
Casper Ruud will look to continue his rich vein of form on clay in Munich this week.
The Norwegian had a solid start to the year in Australia before injury derailed his campaign. However, he has bounced back well on clay.
Ruud reached the quarterfinals in Marbella and followed that up with a run to the semifinals in Monte Carlo. The 22-year-old defeated Diego Schwartzman, Pablo Carreno Busta and Fabio Fognini in the French municipality before he was defeated by Andrey Rublev.
Now, as the second seed in Munich, Ruud takes on Uruguay's Paulo Cuevas in the second round after a first-round bye.
After an underwhelming season last year, Cuevas started 2021 by winning three matches in Melbourne. But he was then sidelined by injury, and has returned to action directly in Munich.
The 35-year-old beat Tennys Sandgren in three sets to kick off his campaign in the Bavarian capital. After taking the first set in a tie-break, Cuevas was bageled in the second. But the World No. 85 came back with a bang in the third set to take the match 7-6(4), 0-6, 6-1.
Casper Ruud vs Pablo Cuevas head-to-head
Casper Ruud leads the head-to-head 1-0 over Pablo Cuevas. Ruud prevailed over the Uruguayan 6-3, 7-6(4) in the quarterfinals of Kitzbuhel in 2019.
Casper Ruud vs Pablo Cuevas prediction
Casper Ruud is the overwhelming favorite for the encounter. The Norwegian's incredible record on clay speaks for itself, and Pablo Cuevas' lack of matches this year does the Uruguayan no favors.
Ruud's exploits in Monte Carlo showed that he can take on even the tour's most accomplished players. His aggressive baseline game worked well, and he put up solid numbers on serve.
The 22-year-old also showed composure when it mattered the most, using his big forehand to pull the trigger at the right time.
Cuevas, on his part, will look to use his topspin-laden forehand to push his opponent deep behind the baseline. He will also aim to use his movement to disrupt Ruud's rhythm.
That said, getting past one of the most in-form players on clay might be an uphill task for the 35-year-old.
Prediction: Casper Ruud to win in straight sets.