Casper Ruud and Hubert Hurkacz will meet in the third round of the 2024 Monte-Carlo Masters, with both eyeing the quarter-final spot.
Both players had a slightly different journey at the event. After winning the ATP 250 tournament in Estoril, Hurkacz traveled to Monte Carlo on a short turnaround, and since he wasn't among the top 8 seeds, he had to play two matches.
He handled those perfectly, beating both Jack Draper and Roberto Bautista Agut, which means that he's currently on a six-match winning streak on clay courts.
On the other hand, Estoril Open defending champion Ruud lost his match in Portugal, but he had to play only one match in Monaco, as he was among the top eight seeds, beating Alejandro Tabilo.
Funnily enough, if the draw was held according to this week's ranking and not last week's, it would have been the Polish player who would get that eighth-seeded spot, while the Norwegian would have to play two matches.
The two third-round protagonists met only twice on the ATP Tour before, and with one match being played on hard court and one on clay, it's quite expected who won which.
While Ruud was able to outsmart his opponent at the French Open, Hurkacz was the better player of the two in Montreal, so the head-to-head ahead of this meeting is tied at 1-1.
| Casper Ruud | Hubert Hurkacz | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | H2H | 1 |
| 10 | Rank | 8 |
| 25 | Age | 27 |
| 21-6 | 2024 W/L | 21-8 |
| 228-121 | Career W/L | 191-131 |
Despite Hurkacz being on a six-match winning streak on clay courts, Ruud should have clear advantage in this match, given his clay-court qualities, and advantage on this surface over his Polish opponent.
Still, given his current form, the Pole could win a set in this match, but Ruud should be able to make it to the next round.
Prediction: Casper Ruud to win in three sets.