Paris Masters 2024: Andrey Rublev vs Francisco Cerundolo preview, head-to-head, prediction, odds and pick
Match Details
Fixture: (6) Andrey Rublev vs Francisco Cerundolo
Date: October 29, 2024
Tournament: Paris Masters 2024
Round: Second Round (Round of 32)
Venue: Accor Arena, Bercy, Paris
Category: Masters 1000
Surface: Hard-court (Indoor)
Prize Money: €5,950,575
Live Telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Sky Sports | Canada - TSN
Andrey Rublev vs Francisco Cerundolo preview
Sixth seed Andrey Rublev will take on Francisco Cerundolo in the second round of the Paris Masters on Tuesday, October 29. The winner of this match will take on either Alejandro Tabilo or tenth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas in the third round.
Rublev has won 42 out of 64 matches so far in 2024, winning two titles, most notably the Madrid Open. The Russian's most recent on-court appearance came at the Swiss Indoors in Basel, where he was the top seed.
Rublev started the tournament with a 6-3, 6-2 win over Nuno Borges before registering a 7-6(3), 6-1 win over Alejandro Tabilo to reach the quarterfinals. Here, he faced Ben Shelton, and the two played out a tightly contested fixture, which went the American's way (7-5, 6-7(3), 6-4).
Cerundolo has won 32 out of 61 matches so far in 2024, winning the Croatia Open in Umag. The Argentine entered the Paris Masters at the back of an opening-round exit at the Swiss Indoors, where he lost 3-6, 7-6(3), 6-7(4) to Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Cerundolo started his campaign in Paris against Quentin Halys in the first round, and he saved two set points to take the first set to a tiebreak. He won the tiebreak 7-5 to take the lead in the match.
The 26-year-old's solitary break in the fourth game of the second set saw him register a 7-6(5), 6-3 win and book his place in the second round of the Paris Masters.
Andrey Rublev vs Francisco Cerundolo head-to-head
Cerundolo leads 2-1 in the head-to-head against Rublev. The most recent encounter between the two took place in the semifinals of the Croatian Open, with the Argentine winning 7-6(6), 6-4.
Andrey Rublev vs Francisco Cerundolo odds
Odds sourced from BETMGM.
Andrey Rublev vs Francisco Cerundolo prediction
Cerundolo leads in the head-to-head between the two, but neither of their matches has taken place on hard courts, a surface where Argentina has won just ten out of 24 matches so far in 2024.
Rublev's first-serve numbers were impressive at the Swiss Indoors, as he won 118 out of 135 points (87.41%) while serving 30 aces in three matches. He also hit 91 winners compared to unforced errors. Even in his defeat to Ben Shelton, the American produced 41 winners while hitting 29 unforced errors.
Rublev's serve and solid forehand are key weapons and his on-court composure has improved as well, though it could still do with some improvement. The 27-year-old has also found a way to balance his intensity without hitting too many unforced errors.
Cerundolo won 34 out of 43 points (79.1%) on his first serve in his match against Quentin Halys, serving four aces and three double faults. The 26-year-old, however, hit just 17 winners while producing 33 unforced errors. He cannot afford too many mistakes against Rublev, even if we take the Russian's slip-ups into consideration.
The Argentine plays his best tennis on clay but he has also had some good performances on hard courts. He never shies away from playing his shots and being aggressive against Rublev could well be a clever tactic. His speed and on-court movement will also come in handy while dealing with the Russian's aggression.
While Cerundolo at his best is capable of some terrific tennis, Rublev's recent run of form and relatively superior record on hard courts in 2024 should see him get the win and reach the third round of the Paris Masters.
Pick: Rublev to win in straight sets.