Monte Carlo Masters 2021: Pablo Carreno Busta vs Casper Ruud preview, head-to-head & prediction

Match details

Fixture: Pablo Carreno Busta vs Casper Ruud

Date: 15 April 2021

Tournament: Rolex Monte Carlo Masters 2021

Round: Third round (Round of 16)

Venue: Monte Carlo, Monaco

Category: ATP Masters 1000

Surface: Clay

Prize money: €2,082,960

Match timing: Approx. 5 pm local time, 8.30 pm IST

Live telecast: USA - ESPN / Tennis Channel | UK - Europsport

Pablo Carreno Busta vs Casper Ruud preview

Pablo Carreno Busta scored a commanding win in the second round of the 2021 Monte Carlo Masters, taking out the in-form Karen Khachanov in straight sets. Next up for the Spaniard is Norway's Casper Ruud, who caused a bit of an upset by beating seventh seed Diego Schwartzman in his last match.

Casper Ruud

Ruud has already made a name for himself as a claycourt specialist. His win over Schwartzman was the latest in a series of strong showings on the dirt.

The 22-year-old has previously ammassed victories over the likes of Marin Cilic, Matteo Berretini and Karen Khachanov. He possesses a strong baseline-oriented game that is tailor made for the conditions in Monte Carlo.

Ruud's powerful groundstrokes and sublime movement were on full display in the last match, and if he maintains that level he could give Carreno Busta a lot to think about.

Pablo Carreno Busta vs Casper Ruud head-to-head

Pablo Carreno Busta has already won a title on clay this season.

Pablo Carreno Busta and Casper Ruud have split their two meetings on tour, so their current head-to-head stands at a 1-1 deadlock. Both matches have been played on clay, with the Spaniard winning in 2017 and his opponent levelling things up in 2019.

Pablo Carreno Busta vs Casper Ruud prediction

Pablo Carreno Busta has a perfect record on clay this year. The Spaniard has already won a title on the red dirt, at the recently-concluded Andalucia Open, and is now on a six-match winning streak. Needless to say, he will enter this contest as the favorite.

That said, Carreno Busta will be expecting a tough fight from an increasingly confident-looking Casper Ruud. Irrespective of his form in the lead-up, the Norwegian has always come into his own during the claycourt season. And if his first two matches are anything to go by, this year isn't going to be much diffferent.

Ruud will have to be ultra-aggressive if he wishes to push his opponent onto the backfoot. A passive approach is unlikely to win him too many points against Carreno Busta who, if given the time to settle, should be able to eke out a win here.

Prediction: Pablo Carreno Busta to win in three sets.