Andy Roddick has been predicting the outcome of today’s Monte-Carlo Masters final.
With Stefanos Tsitsipas facing off against Casper Ruud, it is far from the match-up many would have expected at the start of the week, but one which is now hotly-anticipated.
After all, Monaco will play host to a couple of clay court specialists, both with so much on the line.
Andy Roddick previews Monte-Carlo Masters final
Speaking on the Tennis Channel just yesterday, Roddick was asked who he favoured for this bumper Masters 1000 final match, in which we are guaranteed a new champion after Andrey Rublev was dumped out in the early stages.
Whoever tastes victory will be an unlikely winner, given at the start of yesterday it was largely expected that we would see a final boasting both Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner.
However, through a patented blend of fortune and skill, the Ruud and Tsitsipas are now due to clash once again.
Roddick was unsure of his prediction for the match, but settled on the former before hinting that the weather would play a huge role.
He noted: ‘Ah… I think Ruud. I am not confident, I’d like to get a little weather report I think we skipped that portion of the show unfortunately, it’s the only time I’ve ever wanted to see it.
‘I think I’m going Ruud, I just think being able to get up and away on that backhand side. I’m not confident though, this is a popcorn match. When push comes to shove I guess Ruud, would love to see that weather report.’
Casper Ruud seems to be favoured to claim victory
Despite Tsitsipas’ blistering form to reach this final, he seems to be getting largely discounted as an option to win this incredibly tight affair.
There is little between the two, who both specialise on clay and have both reached the Roland-Garros final too, Ruud on two occasions.
However, as has often been the case with many forced into this torrid generation of tennis, they have often been thwarted by the big three.
But with their powers waning and age finally catching up with them, the Monte-Carlo title could provide a springboard to achieve further success in France and finally kickstart the career that many assumed both of these two would enjoy.
It is hard to pick, and even the head-to-head does not give much away either, with Ruud narrowly edging that by 2-1.
So, it truly will come down to whoever shows up on the day, and potentially even whoever sees the line calls go their way too after recent controversy…
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