Rotterdam 2023: Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Emil Ruusuvuori preview, head-to-head, prediction, odds and pick | ABN AMRO Open
Match details
Fixture: (1) Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Emil Ruusuvuori
Tournament: ABN AMRO Open 2023
Round: First Round (Round of 32)
Venue: Rotterdam, Netherlands
Category: ATP 500
Surface: Indoor hardcourt
Prize money: €2,074,505
Live telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Amazon Prime Video
Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Emil Ruusuvuori preview
Top seed Stefanos Tsitsipas will take on World No. 53 Emil Ruusuvuori in the first round of the 2023 ABN AMRO Open.
Tsitsipas commenced the new season by representing Greece in the inaugural edition of the United Cup. He remained undefeated in the tournament, winning all of his singles ties, but that wasn't enough. The Greeks were knocked out by the Italians in the semifinals.
Tsitsipas defeated Quentin Halys, Rinky Hijikata and Tallon Griekspoor in straight sets in the first three rounds of the Australian Open. He was pushed to five sets by Jannik Sinner in the fourth round, but came out on top to make the last eight. The 24-year-old then eased past Jiri Lehecka in the quarterfinals.
Tsitsipas subsequently ousted Karen Khachanov in the semifinals to reach his second Grand Slam final. He faced Novak Djokovic for the Australian Open title, but was unable to get the better of the Serb, losing the match in straight sets. A finalist here last year, the Greek will be aiming to go one step further this time around.
Ruusuvuori, meanwhile, started the year with consecutive opening-round losses at the Maharashtra Open and the Adelaide International 2. He registered his first win of the year at the Australian Open over Max Purcell, but lost to Andrey Rublev in the second round thereafter.
Ruusuvuori then won both of his Davis Cup ties to help Finland qualify for the Davis Cup Finals. He next headed to Montpellier to compete in the Open Sud de France. The 23-year-old made it to the second round, where he lost to Maxime Cressy in straight sets.
Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Emil Ruusuvuori head-to-head
Tsitsipas leads Ruusuvuori 1-0 in the head-to-head. He won their previous encounter at the 2022 Stockholm Open in straight sets.
Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Emil Ruusuvuori odds
(Odds are sourced from BetMGM)
Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Emil Ruusuvuori prediction
Ruusuvuori's start to the year hasn't been the most encouraging. He raised his level at the Davis Cup, but failed to carry the momentum forward. In his most recent loss to Cressy, the Finn was able to muster a solitary break point, which he failed to convert.
Tsitsipas is also a capable server like Cressy and if Ruusuvuori is unable to counter that, he'll get the short end of the stick yet again. The Greek is in much better form, having lost just one match so far this year.
Ruusuvuori's baseline game is quite steady, but that won't be enough to bother the top seed. However, if his forehand is on song, it could make life difficult for Tsitsipas. But the Greek should be able to quash any resistance offered by his opponent to advance further.
Pick: Stefanos Tsitsipas to win in straight sets.