Fasten your seatbelts, as it’s time for a “popcorn match“. The stage is set for the mega final at the Court Rainier III. Norwegian tennis star Casper Ruud takes on Greek heartthrob Stefanos Tsitsipas in the ultimate battle of the 2024 Monte Carlo Masters. Who has the upper hand in this intriguing contest? Both former tennis player Andy Roddick and Roger Federer‘s former coach Paul Annacone recently gave an interview to Tennis Channel Live. While in the conversation, both stated Casper Ruud as the hands-down favorite for this contest.

From the looks of their records this season, Stefanos Tsitsipas reached the SF earlier this year at the Los Cabos Open. He lost that match against this same opponent from Norway by 4-6,6(4)-7. After that, he made it to the QF in his next tournament in Acapulco. Whereas Casper Ruud had a solid start to his 2024 season and has reached at least the QF four times in his last six tournaments. Looking at his incredible form this year, Annacone said, “I’m gonna go with Mr. Casper Ruud,” in the finals of the Monte-Carlo Masters.

He backed his statement by saying, “I think he’s building on the confidence and has the win on the hard courts. I think that he’s going to come out and play some good tennis tomorrow.” While American tennis legend Andy Roddick said, “I think Ruud.” He added that he’d like to get a little weather report for the final day in Monte Carlo. “I think I’m going, Ruud, I think being able to get up and away on that backhand side. I’m not confident though. This is a popcorn match. But push comes to shove.”

Roddick said perhaps Casper Ruud would also like to see the Fox Weather report before the match. Casper Ruud is one of the best movers on clay right now in the tennis world. Upsetting the World No. 1 Novak Djokovic in the semifinal match would have surely boosted his confidence heading into the finals. With this victory, he has earned the biggest win of his career by PIF ATP Ranking, moving up to four places, i.e. No. 6 this week.

Ruud has come close to creating history many times in his career. But has ended up on the losing side every time. So, he is now looking forward to clinching the biggest title of his career and his first since Estoril in 2023. Currently, their H2H stands at a 2-1 scoreline in favor of the Norwegian. One has deprived Novak Djokovic of getting an inch closer to clinching his first title of this season. While the other has ended the winning streak of World No. 2 and reigning Miami Open champion, Jannik Sinner.

In the lead-up to the highly anticipated faceoff, both competitors shared their thoughts. Confident boasts or calculated trash talk?

Casper Ruud heaps praise on Stefanos Tsitsipas before facing him in the Monte-Carlo finals

Stefanos Tsitsipas was recently dropped out of the Top 10 for the first in 5 years. But with his stellar performance in Monte-Carlo, his comeback to the elite group looks quite likely now. In fact, he could even move to the number 7, if he manages to clinch the title in this tournament. Speaking on his opponent Casper Ruud said, “Stefanos is a fantastic player on all surfaces, but clay, I think he has had more success in his career so far. He won here two times, so obviously he’s feeling comfortable here.”

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Ruud further added, “He is always going to be a dangerous player and seems like he’s back in good shape. I’m going to have to expect the best version of Stefanos tomorrow.” While the Greek is also excited before heading to the finals, Tsitsipas said he had one of the best first sets on clay in his career against Sinner in his previous match. Surely, he’d love to bank on that momentum and clinch his first title for this season. What are your thoughts on this mega-battle?

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