Djokovic vs Ruud: Preview, Head-to-Head, How to Watch, Predictions, Odds; 2022 Italian Open Semifinal

On Saturday, May 14th, Novak Djokovic and Casper Ruud will square off in what promises to be an exciting semifinal match at the Italian Open 2022. Novak Djokovic, the 20-time Grand Slam champion, is rated first in the world, while Casper Ruud is ranked tenth. We will analyze Djokovic vs Ruud Match Preview, head-to-head performance, how to watch, and prediction in this article.

Djokovic vs Ruud Match Details

• Tournament: 2022 Italian Open Semifinal
• Match: Djokovic vs Ruud
• Time: 1:30 PM ET on Saturday, May 14
• Round: Semi-Final
• Venue: Center Court, Rome, Italy
• Surface: Claycourt
• Prize Money: €5,415,410
• Live telecast: USA – Tennis Channel, Sling TV | UK – Amazon Prime Video.

Preview

On Friday night, world number one Novak Djokovic defeated Felix Auger-Aliassime in his first match with the Canadian. Djokovic, 34, has yet to drop a set this week in Rome as he bids to capture the championship for the sixth time in his career, with Rafael Nadal winning the final in three sets in one of the best matches of 2021. Djokovic has won the world number one ranking ahead of Roland-Garros by reaching the semi-finals, but with no Nadal or Carlos Alcaraz in the draw, he seems the clear favorite to win his 38th ATP 1000 title on Sunday.

He has yet to drop a set this week in Rome, winning his opening two matches handily against Aslan Karatsev and Stan Wawrinka. In the quarterfinals, he defeated Canadian eighth seed Felix Auger-Aliassime in straight sets, 7-5,7-6. (1).

The Dubai Tennis Championships were Djokovic’s first competition in 2022, and he entered the quarterfinals before falling to Jiri Vesely. Following a second-round exit in Monte Carlo, the 34-year-old advanced to the final of the Serbia Open, where he was defeated in three sets by Andrey Rublev.

He then advanced to the semifinals of the Madrid Open before falling to Carlos Alcaraz in a three-set thriller that lasted 3 hours and 38 minutes.

Casper Ruud‘s season has been up and down so far. He began his season by winning the Argentina Open after being forced out of the Australian Open due to injury. He subsequently lost in the third round of the Miami Open before advancing to the Miami Open final. Despite his highs, Ruud struggled to get started on clay, his preferred surface. He was eliminated in the Round of 16 at Monte Carlo before making the final eight in Barcelona. He lost his first match in Madrid after yet another quarterfinal appearance in Munich.

Casper Ruud, world number ten, appears to be turning a turnaround on clay just in time for Roland-Garros later this month following an impressive straight-sets victory over Denis Shapovalov, who defeated Rafael Nadal in the round of 16 on Friday. The 23-year-old is one of the top clay-court players, having won six of his seven ATP championships on the surface, including the Buenos Aires Open in February. Ruud just finished runner-up to Carlos Alcaraz in the Miami Open, which could explain his inconsistent form.

Ruud also advanced to the quarterfinals of the BMW Open in Munich, where he was defeated by Botic van de Zandschulp. Following a dismal second-round loss in Madrid, the 23-year-old competed as the fifth seed in the Italian Open.

When is Djokovic vs Ruud?

• Date: Saturday, May 14
• Time: 1:30 PM ET

Location of Djokovic vs Ruud:

• Venue: Centre Court, Grand Stand Arena in Rome, Italy
• Capacity: 8000

The Djokovic vs Ruud match will occur at the center court, Grand Stand Arena, Foro Italico.

Read Also: Zverev vs Tsitsipas: Preview, How to Watch, Live Stream, Head-to-Head, Prediction, Odds

Djokovic vs Ruud Overall Performane

After a rough 2022, the Serbian sensation has been regaining his bearings at the Italian Open. Novak Djokovic defeated Aslan Karatsev in the round of 32 before defeating Stan Wawrinka in the round of 16. The World No.1 also defeated Felix Auger-Aliassime in two sets in the quarterfinals. Djokovic will be looking to keep his fine form going into Saturday’s semifinals.

Meanwhile, Casper Ruud is in fantastic form in Rome following a disappointing showing at the Madrid Open and Monte Carlo Masters. In the round of 32, the Norwegian defeated Botic Van De Zandschulp 6-7(4) 6-2 6-4 before defeating Jenson Brooksby in the last 16. Ruud then advanced to the Italian Open semifinals by defeating Denis Shapovalov in straight sets on Friday.

Djokovic vs Ruud head-to-head

This will be the pair’s third meeting. Djokovic has a 2-0 advantage in the head-to-head. Last year, they clashed at the ATP Finals, which Djokovic won in straight sets. The first of these occurred in the 2020 Italian Open quarterfinals, in which Djokovic won 7-5, 6-3. He defeated the Norwegian at the ATP Finals in Turin last year, 7-6(4), 6-2.

How to watch Djokovic vs Ruud?

• USA: In the United States, the match Djokovic vs Ruud will be aired on Tennis Channel and Sling TV.
• UK: UK fans can enjoy the Italian Open Semifinal via Amazon Prime Video.
• Canada: In Canada, the Djokovic vs Ruud Livestream is available on DAZN, TSN, and Rogers Sportsnet.
• Australia: All of the action will be broadcast live on beIN Sports in Australia.
• Italy: The match between Djokovic vs Ruud will be broadcast live on Sky Italia by the host country.

Djokovic vs Ruud Prediction:

Casper Ruud encountered Novak Djokovic for the first time on court two years ago at this level of the Italian Open, where the Serb won in straight sets. The world number one also beat Ruud in straight sets at the ATP Finals in November to lead the Norwegian 2-0 in their head-to-head record, and there is little reason to believe that will change tonight. Ruud is at his best on clay and is capable of forcing a decider, but Djokovic’s campaign this week appears to be title-winning, and he can be backed to win decisively here, most likely in two sets.

Ruud still has to win a set against World #1, but he has come close. This is not a foregone conclusion. The Norwegian is nearing the top of his game on every surface these days, but clay remains his favorite, and his movement and crisp delivery of forehand and backhand make him a formidable opponent.

However, it is apparent that Djokovic is returning to form. The movement and sliding are en pointe. His angles on his backhand, in particular, are spectacular. His fitness has also returned to where it was weeks ago. His performances this week have been strong, but he is stepping up his game when it counts, which is a trademark of Djokovic.

This pattern is what makes me want to back the great Serbian in this match. Djokovic has shown in past meetings that he has that extra something when needed, and I believe that will be the case again tonight.

Prediction: Djokovic will win in straight sets.