Rune – Ruud: 18.04.2025 Time TBA

H2H: 1-6

Holger Rune has lost three of his last five matches. This week in Barcelona, Rune won the opening round match against Ramos-Vinolas in straight sets. It is his second appearance in Barcelona. In his debut campaign 2019, Rune lost against Ramos-Vinolas in three tight sets. Rune lost the opening set against Baez in the second round but turned it around. The Dane lost only three games in the second and third sets.

Casper Ruud has won three of his last five matches. Last week in Monte Carlo, Ruud lost in the 1/8-finals against Popyrin. In the opening round of the ATP Barcelona, he defeated Galan in straight sets easily, not offering any breakpoints. Ruud was dominant from the start until the end. Medjedovic put up a big fight in the second round against Ruud. The Norwegian trailed 2-4 in the opening set but turned it around. In the second set, Medjedovic fumbled a 3-1 lead.

Best Bets to Make

Main Bet

According to the bookies, Ruud is the slight favourite in this matchup, and we agree. He is a clay-court specialist and leads 7-0 in the head-to-head meetings against Rune. Ruud also leads 5-1 on clay against Rune. We expect him to continue that winning streak.

That being said, Ruud winning is a value bet.

Value bet/ the best odds: Casper Ruud winning @1.53 @bet365

Extra Bet

The courts in Barcelona are slow. In their last meeting on clay, Ruud won in four sets, and they were not close to reaching the tiebreak in any of the sets. We expect a similar outcome tomorrow as well. Rune and Ruud are not heavy servers; we believe there will be no tiebreaks.

That being said, no tiebreaks in the match is a value bet.

Value bet/ the best odds: under 0.5 tiebreaks @1.50 @bet365

Tsitsipas – Fils: 18.04.2025 Time TBA

H2H: 0-2

Stefanos Tsitsipas has won three of his last five matches. Last week in Monte Carlo, Tsitsipas lost in the quarterfinals against Musetti in three sets. He was the finalist here in 2023 and 2024. In the opening round, Tsitsipas defeated Opelka in straight sets. He was great under pressure, saving all three breakpoints. In the second round, Tsitsipas defeated Korda in straight sets. Tsitsipas served brilliantly, not offering any breakpoints.

Arthur Fils has won four of his last five matches. Last week in Monte Carlo, he lost against Alcaraz in the quarterfinals. In Barcelona, the Frenchman defeated Carreno-Busta in straight sets in the opening round. He saved two set points in the opening set. In the second round, the Frenchman won easily against Martinez in straight sets.

Best Bet to Make

According to the bookies, this will be an almost 50-50 matchup, but we disagree. Fils is in great form and almost won against Alcaraz last week in Monte Carlo. He leads 2-0 in head-to-head meetings against Tsitsipas, and we expect the Frenchman to win against Tsitsipas once again.

That being said, Fils winning is a value bet.

Value bet/ the best odds: Arthur Fils winning @1.73 @bet365

Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports