Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the ATP Madrid match.
Both Francisco Cerúndolo and Casper Ruud have navigated past high-level opponents en route to the semi-finals in Madrid, but there’s no sense of contentment from either camp. On current form and pedigree, Ruud’s experience — particularly on clay — looks set to be the deciding factor, especially given his previous wins over Cerúndolo on this surface.
Francisco Cerúndolo
Cerúndolo impressed with a straight-sets win over Alexander Zverev (7:5, 6:3), but his quarter-final against rising Czech talent Jakub Mensik proved more taxing. The 19-year-old out-hit him on winners (32–23), but unforced errors proved his undoing (46 to Cerúndolo’s 29). That three-set battle lasted over two hours and might leave the Argentine short on recovery ahead of the semi.
Casper Ruud
Ruud, in contrast, has looked fresher and far more clinical in Madrid. Since a quarter-final exit in Barcelona to Holger Rune, he’s bounced back in fine style. He hasn’t dropped a set all tournament, and in his quarter-final against Daniil Medvedev, the Norwegian showed trademark discipline: just 21 unforced errors to 33 winners and a commanding 76% success rate on first serve, facing only two break points in the match.
Francisco Cerúndolo vs Casper Ruud Prediction
Ruud has dominated their clay-court head-to-head, beating Cerúndolo twice in straight sets — once in Rome and again at the Paris Olympics. Given his current form and energy reserves, there’s every reason to back him for another composed, controlled win.
