Fixture: (5) Andrey Rublev vs (6) Holger Rune
Tournament: Monte-Carlo 2023
Date: Sunday, April 16
Round: Final
Venue: Monte Carlo Country Club, France
Category: Masters 1000
Surface: Outdoor clay
Prize money: €5,779,335
Live telecast: USA - Tennis Channel, TC Plus | UK - Amazon Prime Video
Andrey Rublev vs Holger Rune preview
Fifth seed Andrey Rublev takes on sixth seed Holger Rune on Sunday (April 16) in the Monte-Carlo final. Both finalists recovered from a set down to win the rain-delayed semifinals.
World No. 6 Rublev was thrice up a break before conceding the opener against Taylor Fritz. To his credit, though, the 25-year-old regrouped admirably, dropping only four games in the remainder of the match to return to his second Monte-Carlo final in three years. In the process, Rublev improved to 17-8 on the season and 10-5 in the Principality.
The Russian has had an underwhelming season, opening the season with consecutive losses before reaching the Australian Open quarterfinals (losing to eventual champion Novak Djokovic).
After early exits in Rotterdam and Doha, Rublev reached the Dubai final, where his title defense was ended by Daniil Medvedev. Rublev reached the Round of 16 at Indian Wells and Miami coming into Monte-Carlo.
Meanwhile, ninth-ranked Rune downed Jannik Sinner 7-5 in the third to reach his second Masters 1000 final and first in Monte-Carlo. In the process, he improved to 17-7 in 2023 and 4-2 in the Principality.
Following his highs of winning the 2022 Paris Masters, the Danish teenager has struggled to replicate similar heights this year. After making the Australian Open fourth round, Rune made the Acapulco semifinals. The Dane then reached the Round of 32 at Indian Wells and the Round of 16 in Miami.
While Rune is now a win away from a second Masters 1000 title, Rublev is looking for his first.
Andrey Rublev vs Holger Rune head-to-head
The two players are 1-1 in their two previous meetings. Rublev won their latest meeting in the Australian Open fourth round this year. They're yet to meet on clay.
Andrey Rublev vs Holger Rune odds
(All odds as per bet365)
Andrey Rublev vs Holger Rune prediction
Both Rublev and Rune like to dominate opponents from the baseline and have similar game styles. They serve big, hit powerfully off either flank and move well. However, Rublev is the more accomplished player on clay.
The Russian is coming off an impressive win against Fritz, recovering from four breaks in the first set, breaking his opponent eight times and firing 26 winners. Rune, meanwhile, got the better of the in-form Sinner after winning only one game in the first set.
Rublev's last meeting with Rune went the distance, but the Russian will fancy his chances on clay, where he has won 31 more matches than Rune (21).
Pick: Andrey Rublev in three sets.