Casper Ruud’s reputation as a clay-court specialist is well-earned, but his recent performance at the ATP Dallas Open proves he’s a force to be reckoned with on any surface. Dominating the competition, he’s stormed his way into the finals. Now, with momentum on his side, Ruud has his sights set on the title. But standing in his way is the explosive Canadian, Denis Shapovalov. Get ready for a thrilling showdown – who will emerge victorious?
Denis Shapovalov vs Casper Ruud: Preview
Casper Ruud secured victories over James Duckworth, Michael Mmoh, and Yoshihito Nishioka, and faced a tough test against Jaume Munar in the semifinals.
The Norwegian started strong, breaking Munar twice to comfortably take the opening set. However, Munar turned the match around in the second set, winning five consecutive games to force a decider. Ruud found himself in trouble again when Munar broke serve to lead 5-4, but the Norwegian responded immediately, forcing a tiebreak and ultimately securing a hard-fought 6-2, 2-6, 7-6(4) victory.
DALLAS FINAL TOMORROW!!!! let’s goooo
@DALOpenTennis pic.twitter.com/dsefHwCuan
— Denis Shapovalov (@denis_shapo) February 9, 2025
Shapovalov, on the other hand, had a challenging road to the final, needing three sets to defeat Miomir Kecmanović and top seed Taylor Fritz in the earlier rounds. He stepped up his level in the quarterfinals, taking out sixth seed Tomas Machac in straight sets before meeting defending champion Tommy Paul in the semifinals.
The opening set was a tight contest, nearly heading into a tiebreak, but Shapovalov managed to break Paul’s serve in the 12th game to edge it 7-5. In the second set, Paul stayed competitive early on, but Shapovalov raised his intensity in the closing stages, winning the last three games to wrap up a 7-5, 6-3 victory.
Shapovalov vs Ruud: Head-to-head
Casper Ruud has a comfortable 2-0 lead. Their first encounter came back at the finals of the 2021 Geneva Open, which Ruud comfortably won in straight sets 7-6, 6-4. A year later, these two stars collided yet again in the quarter-finals of the Italian Open. Ruud showed his clay court dominance to win a tight match 7-6, 7-5. While this will be the third time these two stars face off, it will be the second time when they are facing each other in the finals.
Prediction: Denis Shapovalov to maintain his hot streak going with a triumphant win
Denis Shapovalov enters the final with significant momentum and confidence after securing back-to-back victories over top-30 opponents. His impressive wins over Taylor Fritz, Tomas Machac, and Tommy Paul highlight his current form and prove that he is playing at a high level. These results suggest that he is finding his rhythm at the right time, making him a strong contender for the title.
Indoor conditions have also favored Shapovalov this season, with his best 2024 results coming on indoor hard courts. His quarterfinal run in Basel and his title victory in Belgrade show his ability to thrive in these conditions. His aggressive shot-making and natural talent on faster courts make him a dangerous opponent, especially when he is striking the ball cleanly and playing with confidence.
Ruud’s steady baseline play and tactical discipline will be tested against Shapovalov’s aggressive shot-making and powerful groundstrokes. If Ruud can extend rallies and force errors, he could wear down the Canadian. However, if Shapovalov finds his rhythm and keeps his unforced errors in check, his attacking style could give him the edge in this matchup.
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