SportsMall previews Wednesday's first-round clash between Roberto Bautista Agut and Casper Ruud at the Swiss Indoors, including predictions, form and their head-to-head record.
senior Roberto Bautista Agudo AND casper root war in Swiss interior In Wednesday's first round, both players are eager to prove something.
The 36-year-old comes to the event in Basel after winning the last title in Antwerp and surprising his Norwegian opponent who is seeking a place at the year-end ATP Finals in Turin.
Competition Preview
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Only in year 12 ATP Tour With this victory, his first in two years, Bautista Agut hopes to continue his momentum in Switzerland to the detriment of Ruud.
The Spaniard will be confident in his chances in Basel after dropping a set en route to victory in Belgium last week, defeating a top-40 opponent. Tomás Martín Etcheverry – A top 20 player Happy Auger, that too quarterfinals and 28th place in the world Lives in Lehka In the final.
The only set the veteran lost came in her tight comeback win over Auger-Aliassime and highlighted the 36-year-old's impressive week, which saw her return to the top 50 after a year out.
Bautista will have to focus intensely on avoiding defeat in his first tournament match against a top-10 player in contention, as he looks to avoid another first-round loss in Basel after last year's early exit.
The Spaniard will look to carry his winning form from Antwerp into his match against the world No. 8 as he hopes to improve on a disappointing performance in 2023, having reached the semi-finals a year ago.
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The Norwegian has a lot at stake in this week's events in Switzerland as the race for a place in the ATP Finals heats up.
Although Root is in the top eight, he faces stiff competition from a small group of players, including himself. Grigor Dimitrov, Alex de Minar, Stefanos Tsitsipas AND tommy paul Participation must be guaranteed.
However, the 12-time Tour champion's form entering the Basel event could dampen his chances, highlighted by just one win in his last five events.
With early departures in Tokyo, Shanghai and Stockholm, world no. However, 8 has not had a good run in recent matches, following a victory in the tournament opener.
Rudd's loss of form and confidence pales in comparison to Wednesday's opponent, which could dampen the Norwegian's ambitions to reach Turin after missing out last year.
Head to head
Masters 1000 Canada (2022) – Round of 16: Root 6-7(4) 7-6(4) 6-4
ATP Cup (2022) – Round Robin: Bautista Agut 6-4 7-6(4)
Munich (2018) – Round of 16: Bautista Agut 6-4 6-3
Although Wednesday's match will be the first since 2022, Bautista Agut is notably 2-1 with Rudd.
The Spaniard beat the 25-year-old in his first match on the ATP Tour in 2018 before another straight sets victory four years later.
The Norwegian halved that deficit at the Canadian Masters that same year and is now aiming for consecutive victories over his experienced rival.
Bautista Agut will look for his 21st win against a top 10 player on Wednesday and his first since the loss. Daniel Medvedev Hall last year.
We say: Rudd wins in two sets.
While Bautista Agut is in high spirits following his recent victory in Antwerp, Rudd's ambitions to compete in next month's ATP Finals leave him with little margin for error. Thus, the world number 8 was the favorite to win in two sets at the expense of the Spaniard.
