Third-seeded Casper Ruud and fifth-seeded Felix Auger-Aliassime will lock horns in the opening encounter of the 2022 ATP Finals on Sunday.
The 23-year-old has had a sensational year that has seen him win three titles and finish runner-up in the French Open and the US Open. Ruud could not have a deep run in a tournament following his outstanding campaign in Flushing Meadows.
He made it to the quarterfinals of the Korea Open. In the Japan Open, Ruud lost his first match in competition against Jaume Munar in straight sets. Another exit in the round of 32 followed at the Basel Open against local hero Stan Wawrinka. Ruud most recently competed in the Paris Masters. The Norwegian got past the round of 32 with a win against Richard Gasquet. However, his run ended in the following round as he lost to Lorenzo Musetti in a closely contested three-set affair.
Recent results have not been a problem for the Canadian youngster. He has been in an astonishing form in the last couple of months.
Auger-Aliassime got off to a good start in the season as he made it to the quarterfinals of the Australian Open and won the title in Rotterdam. He also made it to the final in the Open 13. After some indifferent results, he reached four quarterfinals on the trot at the Barcelona Open, the Estoril Open, the Madrid Open, and the Italian Open.
His dream run of form began at the Firenze Open which he won convincingly. He followed it up with two more titles on the bounce at the European Open and the Swiss Indoors. Eventual champion Holger Rune finally broke his 16-match winning streak in the semis of the Paris Masters.
The head-to-head scoreline currently stands at 2-1 in favor of Ruud. He won their most recent rubber in straight sets at the 2022 Canadian Open.
Prediction: Felix Auger-Aliassime to win in straight sets.
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