FRENCH OPEN FINAL: Match Point previews the final of the Men’s Open in Paris between Novak Djokovic and Casper Ruud.
It’s all about the numbers in Paris this afternoon.
Novak Djokovic has his chance to rewrite the record books by becoming the first man to win 23 Grand Slam titles as he faces off against Casper Ruud, 12 years his junior, at Roland Garros.
Djokovic would move one clear of Rafael Nadal’s 22 – Nadal notching up his 22nd win here 12 months ago when routinely beating Casper Ruud in straight sets.
Djokovic is relishing the chance to create history. He said: “I like the feeling, it’s an incredible privilege to be able to make history in the sport I truly love and has given me so much.
“The motivation is very high, as you can imagine. There is one more to go to hopefully get my hands on the trophy.
“I have put myself in another really ideal position to win a Grand Slam.
“That’s basically what still drives me when I wake up in the morning and think about things I want to achieve. The Grand Slams are what drives me the most.”
Whilst clay is far from Djokovic’s ideal surface – he doesn’t exactly have a bad record here. A win today would be his fourth in Paris and his form leading up to today’s final has been pretty impressive.
The Serb didn’t drop a set in the first four rounds and dropped just the one set in both the quarter finals and in the semi-final against current world number one Carlos Alcaraz.
In contrast, Ruud dropped sets in three of his first four matches but was in top form progressing to the final with a straight sets win over Alexander Zverev in their semi-final.
Djokovic and Ruud have never met in a Grand Slam but Djokovic holds a 4-0 career record over the Norwegian.
Whilst a better performance from Ruud can be expected 12 months on from last year’s final it’s hard to see anything other than a straight sets win for Djokovic which can be backed 2.12 at on the Betdaq Sportsbook (Casper Ruud to win a set – NO).
RECOMMENDED BET
5 points win Casper Ruud to win a set NO at around 2.12
