Damien Kayat previews Casper Rudd vs Alex Zverev in the Men’s Semi-final of the French Open, on the 9th of June 2023.
2023 ATP Tour
Grand Slam Tennis
French Open
Stade Roland Garros, Paris, France (Outdoor Clay)
Men’s Semi-final – 9th June
Casper Rudd
Many- myself included- had written off Casper Rudd leading into this year’s tournament. The Norwegian has proven to be a brilliant clay-court exponent over the last few years. 2022 saw him evolve into one of the best all-round players in world tennis, flaunting his Grand Slam mettle with runs to the French and US Open finals.
But he just couldn’t find his rhythm in the early stages of this year. Sure, he won an understrength clay-court title in Estoril. But that was his only quarterfinal appearance in his first nine events. But the red-dirt of Rome seemed to ignite something inside of the Norwegian baseliner.
He reached the semi-finals there and has carried that form into Paris. His quarterfinal victory over fellow Scandinavian Holger Rune ensured that he has now won 11 of his last 12 Roland Garros matches.
Some still harbored doubts about Rudd going into the Rune quarterfinal. Despite only dropping one set en route to the quarterfinal stage- Rudd hadn’t really encountered any elite competition. And Rune brought an imposing 16-3 clay-court record to their quarterfinal grudge match.
Last year’s all-Scandinavian quarterfinal turned acrimonious after Rune accused the Norwegian of gloating in his face. This year’s encounter turned out to be far less tempestuous, with Rune looking depleted following that Cerundolo five-setter. Rudd dictated play with an accurate serve and gargantuan forehand.
It was exactly the template that has seen Rudd emerge as one of the leading players in Grand Slam tennis. Rune made a little show of defiance in the 3rd. But Rudd quickly thwarted any chance of a comeback with an emphatic performance in the 4th set.
Casper Rudd 96/100 | Alex Zverev 82/100
Alex Zverev
You can’t help but admire the resilience of Alex Zverev. To make his 3rd consecutive French Open semifinal after last year’s horror injury took some guts. That right ankle injury looked like a potential career ender. And he has taken some time to get back to speed in 2023.
The former World No.2 showed glimpses of his best tennis with a semi-final run in Dubai. And he produced solid- if unspectacular- round of 16 runs in Madrid and Rome. But a semi-final in Geneva indicated he was gearing up nicely for this year’s French Open.
And he hasn’t disappointed, only dropping one set en route to his quarterfinal showing against Argentine surprise package Etcheverry. He has also had to deal with some unforeseen controversy, with tournament organizers originally ruling that he couldn’t inject potentially life-saving insulin on the court.
They have thankfully made a U-turn on that rather archaic original decision.
He was forced to withstand some heavy hitting from the Argentine. Etcheverry reminds me a lot of compatriot Juan Martin del Potro (particularly on the forehand wing). The serve was really key to his victory.
He won 76% of points behind his first-serve and hit an impressive 45 winners. It was a composed performance when you consider the boisterous support that the Argentine received. This will now be the 6th Grand Slam semi-final of Zverev’s career.
He has only won one of his previous five semi-finals (at the 2020 US Open). Could this be the year that Zverev finally emerges from that ghetto of great players to never win a Slam?
Verdict: Rudd to win in four at 4/1
Zverev currently leads the head-to-head 2-1. But Rudd actually won their last meeting at last year’s Miami Open. This is going to be a really fantastic clash between two players who almost mirror each other. They both dictate play with big serves and massive forehands.
I feel like Rudd will be the one less fazed by this occasion. Zverev has the memories of last year (plus all the other missed opportunities in Grand Slams) to psychologically contend with. The German also got tight on serve in his quarterfinal, serving nine double-faults throughout the match.
I think Rudd’s backhand is a little more consistent while Zverev’s can capitulate under pressure. So, expect to see Rudd go inside-out with his forehand and constantly pelt Zverev’s backhand side.
