Casper Ruud (Image Credit: Relevant Tennis - Twitter)
3rd seed Casper Ruud squares off against Diego Schwartzman in the round of 64 of the 2023 Indian Wells on Friday.
The 2022 US Open finalist had a breakthrough season last year but has not been able to live up to expectations so far in 2023. He registered a win against Thiago Monteiro in the United Cup but lost to Matteo Berrettini. In the ASB Classic and the Australian Open, Ruud was ousted in the second round by Laslo Djere and Jenson Brooksby respectively.
Ruud most recently played in the Mexican Open. After beating Argentine qualifier Guido Andreozzi in the first round, the Norwegian tennis pro lost to Taro Daniel in the round of 16. Last year, Ruud crashed out in the third round in Indian Wells with a loss against Nick Kyrgios.
It has been a tough season for Schwartzman as well. He came into the tournament with a 5-match losing streak. His only win in 2023 had come in the first round of the Australian Open when he beat Oleksii Krutykh in four sets.
Schwartzman registered his second win in 2023 in the first round in Indian Wells, defeating compatriot Federico Coria 6-1, 6-2. This convincing win should hold Schwartzman in good stead as he hopes to beat Ruud for the sixth time.
These two players have faced each other on 8 occasions. Schwartzman is ahead by 5-3 in the head-to-head scoreline. In their most recent encounter, Ruud won 5-7, 6-2, 6-3 in the 2022 Argentina Open.
Prediction: Casper Ruud to win in three sets.
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