Defending Barcelona champ Casper Rudd is a Bonafide clay-court specialist.
2025 ATP Tour
ATP 500
Barcelona Open
Real Club de Tenis Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain (Outdoor Clay)
Selected Quarterfinals- 18th April
2025 ATP Tour
ATP 500
Barcelona Open
Real Club de Tenis Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain (Outdoor Clay)
Selected Quarterfinals- 18th April
Casper Rudd (2) 0.52 vs Holger Rune (6) 1.49
Defending Barcelona champ Casper Rudd is a Bonafide clay-court specialist. The 26-year-old Norwegian has picked up some notable results on quicker surfaces, finishing runner-up at both the
US and Miami Opens. But he has really made his career on clay, winning 11 of 12 titles in the dirt. The two-time French Open runner-up enjoyed an extremely solid 2024 clay-court campaign, finishing runner-up in Monte-Carlo before claiming this title (playing Tsitsipas in both finals). He has had a bit of a ‘nearly’ year, finishing runner-up in Dallas and threatening to go deep in a few other events. He disappointed in Monte-Carlo but has taken advantage of a favourbale draw this week, taking out Galan and Medjedovic in straight sets. Rudd- at his best- is a relentless clay-court practitioner, generating plenty of topspin on his forehand wing. He also possesses a refreshingly calm on-court demeanour, which is the complete antithesis of his next opponent: Holger Rune.
The combustible Holger Rune is having a real yo-yo campaign, highlighted by a sensational runner-up finish at Indian Wells (in slow conditions not too dissimilar to clay). He was eliminated in the first round in Miami before suffering physical difficulties in Monte-Carlo, forced to withdraw while trailing in his opening clash with Nuno Borges. He bounced back well in his opening Barcelona encounter, striking 28 winners as he downed Ramos-Vinolas in straight sets. He then showed considerable grit to come from a set down against clay-court specialist Sebastian Baez. Rune- when he’s operating at peak capacity- is a sensational fit for clay. He is a high-energy player who moves as well as anyone on tour (including de Minaur). He also employs plenty of kick on his serve (particularly out wide). This helps him retain control of his service games despite slower conditions. A two-time Roland Garros quarterfinalist, Rune is also a two-time Masters 1000 runner-up on clay.
The Verdict: Rudd to win in straight sets at 1.28- Rudd has dominated the Dane in this Scandinavian rivalry, leading 6-1 in their head-to-head meetings (winning their most recent meeting in Mexico last year). I think that Rudd’s head-to-superiority is reason enough to back him. Rune has his physical issues and Rudd’s consistent weight and depth of shot will keep the Dnae pegged back.
