Wimbledon 2024: Casper Ruud vs Alex Bolt preview, head-to-head, prediction and pick
Match Details
Fixture: (8) Casper Ruud vs Alex Bolt
Date: July 1, 2024
Tournament: Wimbledon 2024
Round: First Round (Round of 128)
Venue: All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, England
Category: Grand Slam
Surface: Grass
Prize Money: £50,000,000
Live Telecast: USA - ESPN, Tennis Channel | UK - BBC | Canada - TSN/RDS, ESPN International
Casper Ruud vs Alex Bolt preview
Eighth seed Casper Ruud will take on Alex Bolt in the first round of the Wimbledon Championships on Monday (July 1, 2024).
Ruud has made a propitious start to the season by chalking up 39 wins from 49 matches, including title-winning runs in the Geneva Open and the Barcelona Open. He also secured runner-up finishes in Los Cabos Open, Mexican Open and Monte-Carlo Masters.
The Norwegian will enter Wimbledon on the back of a semifinal loss in Paris. He outfoxed the likes of Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Tomas Martin Etcheverry and Taylor Fritz en route to the last four, but couldn't stamp his authority against Alexander Zverev. The German defeated Ruud 2-6, 6-2, 6-4, 6-2.
Alex Bolt, meanwhile, has played most of his tennis this year on the ATP Challenger circuit. He reached the second round of the Adelaide International, where he lost to Tommy Paul in straight sets. The Australian also secured a runner up finish in the ATP Burnie Challenger in January.
Bolt entered the main draw in Wimbledon via the qualifers. He outfoxed the likes of Nicolas Kicker and Rudolf Molleker en route to the final round and then showed his class against Leandro Riedi. Bolt defeated the Swiss Riedi in a grueling five-set encounter.
Casper Ruud vs Alex Bolt head-to-head
The head-to-head between Ruud and Bolt is poised at 0-0. The duo have never faced each other on the main tour.
Casper Ruud vs Alex Bolt odds
Odds will be updated when available.
Casper Ruud vs Alex Bolt prediction
Casper Ruud has been knocking on the door to win a Major trophy since the past two years. He's continued his rich vein of form and already reached five finals at ATP events in 2024. The Norwegian has a mediocer record at the Wimbeldon Championships, but will be hoping to get things right this time around. His resilient all-around game and incredible awareness can cause problems for any opponent on court.
Bolt, on the contrary, has put in the hard yards on the lower level circuit to find his potential. He has the ingredients of a top player on tour, but still needs to stick to the task and find that extra gear. The Australian likes to rely on his serve and play and offensive brand of tennis.
Both players have never made it past the second round at Wimbledon. With the surface favoring neither of them, a tricky contest could be on the cards at the All England Club. Considering their recent run of form and experience on the main tour, Ruud should be able to navigate past this challenge and begin his campaign with a win.
Pick: Casper Ruud to win in four sets.