Six Kings Slam 2024: Carlos Alcaraz vs Holger Rune preview, head-to-head, prediction, and pick
Match Details
Fixture: Carlos Alcaraz vs Holger Rune
Date: 16 October, 2024
Tournament: Six Kings Slam 2024
Round: Quarter-Finals
Venue: The Venue, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Category: Exhibition
Surface: Hard-court (Indoor)
Winner Prize Money: $6,000,000
Live Telecast: DAZN
Carlos Alcaraz vs Holger Rune preview
Carlos Alcaraz is set to lock horns with Holger Rune in the second match of the day at the Six Kings Slam on Wednesday, October 16.
Alcaraz heads to Riyadh with an impressive 51-10 record on tour this season. The Spaniard has claimed two of the four Grand Slam titles, winning the French Open and Wimbledon, along with titles at Indian Wells and most recently, in Beijing, where he overcame Jannik Sinner in a thrilling three-set final.
Alcaraz featured last at the Shanghai Masters where he advanced past Shang Juncheng, Yibing Wu, and Gael Monfils before being upset by Tomas Machac in the quarterfinals 6-7(5), 5-7.
Rune, meanwhile, has compiled a 38-21 record this year, with his sole final appearance coming in Brisbane at the start of the year. Other notable results include reaching the semifinals in Montpellier, Acapulco, Cincinnati, and Tokyo, as well as the fourth rounds of the French Open and Wimbledon.
In Shanghai last week, Rune defeated former World No. 6 Matteo Berrettini and 33rd seed Jiri Lehecka but was ousted by seventh seed Taylor Fritz in the fourth round, losing 1-6, 2-6.
Carlos Alcaraz vs Holger Rune head-to-head
Carlos Alcaraz leads Holger Rune 2-1 in their head-to-head. He won their previous encounter 7-6(3), 6-4, 6-4 at the Wimbledon Championships last year.
Carlos Alcaraz vs Holger Rune odds
(Odds to be added once available)
Carlos Alcaraz vs Holger Rune prediction
Carlos Alcaraz's last match on tour ended in disappointment, but he will be eager to bounce back strong in Riyadh. Despite some inconsistency on hard courts this year, he has secured titles in Indian Wells and Beijing.
Holger Rune, meanwhile, has struggled for consistency on the surface, with several early exits recently, bar a semifinal run in Tokyo. He also made a couple of deep runs at the start of the year, but has not been able to replicate that form off late. His game has also been hampered by unforced errors and a shaky serve.
The pair have met twice before on hard courts, and have split the head-to-head with one win each. Rune claimed their most recent clash in Paris in 2022, while Alcaraz triumphed in their first meeting at the 2021 Next Gen Finals.
Alcaraz enters this match as the favorite, with his superior season record and a 26-5 hardcourt tally compared to Rune’s 24-13. Despite this being an exhibition match, it promises to be a tight contest, with both players eager to make their mark.
Pick: Alcaraz to win in straight sets.