French Open 2022: This is how Casper Ruud can beat Rafael Nadal
Rafael Nadal can win his 14th title at the French Open today (from 3 p.m. live on TV and live stream on ServusTV (in Austria), on Eurosport and in our live ticker). But his opponent in the final, Casper Ruud , has an acceptable chance of preventing this.
by Jens Huiber
last edit: Jun 05, 2022, 08:01 am
Iga Swiatek also did precision work on Saturday: Immediately after the successful match point against Coco Gauff, the roof was closed over the Philippe-Chatrier court, followed by a thunderstorm that was sometimes stronger, sometimes weaker, over several hours. No precipitation has been announced for today's final day - but it won't be as hot as the women's. Which increases Casper Ruud's chances of creating a sensation against Rafael Nadal.
After his demolition victory against Alexander Zverev , Nadal himself declared that he had hardly any means of scoring direct points against the German number one. The balls were too heavy, Zverev's defense too good. Now Ruud has not yet reached the level of Alexander Zverev in terms of defensive work (and of course not yet at that of Nadal or Novak Djokovic), but the Norwegian also knows how to defend himself. And when in doubt, he can also go on the offensive with his forehand.
Home advantage for Rafael Nadal
The sticking point in the first encounter with Nadal could be Casper Ruud's backhand. Because with this blow no state can be made. And it can be assumed that Nadal will massage Ruud's weaker side with his forehand in the tried and tested manner. How would the outsider get out of this mill? With balls down the line maybe. But Ruud's backhand longline is far from having the same quality as that of Zverev or Djokovic.
However, if Ruud manages to win the first set, protracting the match, then his chances of preventing Rafael Nadal's 14th Roland Garros title will increase. Because Nadal is visibly battered and has to be sprayed fit before every match. But it is also true: This also applied to Dominic Thiem in 2018 and 2019 in the finals. And Thiem had more dangerous weapons at his disposal than Casper Ruud.
And of course one thing is also clear: the fans in the stadium will not give the underdog the usual bonus. Because Rafael Nadal has worked out home rights on the Philippe-Chatrier court. Both Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev felt this acoustically.
Here the individual tableau in Roland Garros
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