2021 Nitto ATP Finals – Group Stage – Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud on and what time does it start? Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud will take place on Monday 15th November, 2021 – not before 13:00 (UK)
Where is Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud taking place? Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud will take place at the Pala Alpitour in Turin, Italy
What surface is Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud being played on? Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud will take place on an indoor hard court
Where can I get tickets for Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud? Visit this link for the latest ticket information for Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud
What channel is Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud on? Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud will be televised on the Amazon Prime Video app on smart TVs
Where can I stream Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud? Amazon Prime subscribers can stream Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud live via their platform. Subscribers of Tennis TV can also stream the match live
THE LOWDOWN
World number one Novak Djokovic will begin an ATP Finals campaign in much better shape than he has in recent years after the Serb took a long, much-needed break this Autumn. The 34-year-old played his first tournament since losing the US Open final to Daniil Medvedev, and being visibly exhausted throughout the campaign in New York, last week at the Paris Masters where he got immediate revenge over the Russian in the final. Djokovic has surpassed Roger Federer’s weeks at No.1 total this season, tied Federer and Rafael Nadal on 20 Grand Slams each and surpassed Pete Sampras’ year-end No.1 record of six with this his now seventh Christmas at the top of the sport. He is targeting another record this week as he can level Federer’s six ATP Finals titles record by winning on Sunday.
World number eight Casper Ruud has been one of the form players on the ATP Tour this season with five titles won for a career total of six. His win at the San Diego Open most recently was a first hardcourt trophy that rubbished his ‘clay-specialist’ tag but at the same time three-straight titles in three weeks at Gstaad, Bastad and Kitzbuhel earlier this season set him out as one of the very top players on the red surface. The 22-year-old became the first Norwegian to qualify for the ATP Finals after putting in a 53-15 record for a superb season.
THE PREDICTION
Novak Djokovic is always a danger and likely favourite for any tournament he enters but coming off a long break and a (yet another) record-breaking 37th Masters title win last weekend makes him a more potent threat in Turin. The world number one has no pressure on his shoulders now at the close of another stellar season and realistically he has just two genuine threats to his chances at equalling Roger Federer’s ATP Finals record – Daniil Medvedev and Alexander Zverev – who are both in the other group. Casper Ruud will play his part in what could be a nervous debut at the ATP Finals but this hardcourt is pretty fast and that should limit his effectivity against the game’s best defender. Djokovic beat Ruud in straight sets last year on clay, and although the Norwegian has vastly improved since then this still looks like ending the same way.
