Miami Open 2022 final, Carlos Alcaraz vs Casper Ruud: 3 factors that could determine the outcome of the match

14th seed Carlos Alcaraz of Spain will face sixth seed Casper Ruud of Norway in the final of the Miami Open on Sunday. This will be the second meeting between the two, with Alcaraz prevailing in their only previous encounter at the Andalucia Open in 2021.

Carlos Alcaraz beat defending champion Hubert Hurkacz and Ruud got the better of Francisco Cerundolo in the semifinals. Although Ruud is the higher ranked player, the 18-year-old Spanish sensation will start as the favorite in tomorrow’s final.

On that note, let's take a look at three factors that might determine the outcome of the final:

#1 Carlos Alcaraz’s all-round game

Carlos Alcaraz is capable of hitting fierce groundstrokes off both wings which he relies on to push his opponent deep behind the baseline. However, there is more to his game than just power.

He has played some exquisite lobs and drop shots over the course of the tournament to catch his opponents off guard and win points quickly. He played as many as 16 drop shots in the semifinal against Hurkacz, winning 11 of those points. In tomorrow's match, Alcaraz will look to drag Ruud to the net by playing drop shots.

Aside from holding his own in the baseline exchanges, Ruud will also have to cope with Carlos Alcaraz’s deft touch. The Norwegian is not very comfortable coming to the net and that might prove to be his Achilles heel.

#2 Casper Ruud must try to stay solid from the baseline

Ruud will rely on his solid baseline game in the final

Ruud employed a forehand slice return to good effect in his semi-final match and he might try to do the same against Alcaraz on Sunday. The Norwegian lacks the power of the Spaniard, so he should look to take some of the pace off the ball and use short slices to break up Alcaraz's rhythm.

Ruud, who enjoys playing on clay the most, would go for point construction and wait for Alcaraz to take the risks. Moreover, the Norwegian has a very good forehand and that shot of his is likely to put the Spaniard’s court-coverage to a stern test.

#3 Who can be more aggressive on return?

Neither Alcaraz nor Ruud boasts a particularly strong serve and both of them would want to exploit the other's weakness. Alcaraz, for all his heroics, was outserved by Hurkacz in the semifinals and it was his superior groundrokes that allowed him to win more than 70% of the points on his first serve.

However, Alcaraz’s serve, if not powerful, is quite accurate, which could give him the edge over Ruud.

Ruud's serve is not the biggest either. His second serve can be attacked and the Spaniard will likely step into the court to take the returns early and put pressure on the Norwegian.

All in, it should be an absorbing final on Sunday as both players gun for a maiden Masters 1000 title.