Casper Ruud v Alexander Zverev: Prediction, Tips and Odds

Friday's semi-final battle between Casper Ruud and Alexander Zverev at the French Open has the potential to be a blockbuster.

The pair locked horns at this same stage of the French Open in 2023 with Ruud winning in straight sets but a more balanced contest is expected this time around.

Ruud is a clay-court specialist and will be a bit fresher after his quarter-final opponent Novak Djokovic withdrew from the major, while in-form German Zverev eased to a straight-sets win over Alex De Minaur last time out.

Casper Ruud v Alex Zverev betting tips and predictions

Casper Ruud to win - 1/1

With a number of the big guns faltering or struggling with fitness, Zverev was touted by many as a dark horse for Grand Slam glory in Paris and there is still every chance he could prove his backers right.

But Ruud seems to have gone under the radar a bit this summer and with such a tight battle expected, it could pay to go with the Norwegian at the slightly bigger price.

Zverev lifted the Italian Open title just before the start of this year's French Open but his run to the last four in Paris has not been without its challenges.

In both the third and fourth rounds, Zverev was taken to five sets by Tallon Griekspoor and Holger Rune and all of his matches have featured at least one tiebreak.

And while he has certainly fine-tuned his game on the clay courts, Ruud is a natural on the slower terrain and can make his added French Open experience count.

Ruud has reached the final in Paris in each of the last two seasons and 17 of the 23 finals he has previously contested have been on the clay courts.

On top of that, the Norwegian has won all three of his previous semi-finals at Grand Slams - two at the French Open and one at the US Open.

The head-to-head between these players is evenly poised at 2-2 but the last two matches between them have both gone the way of Ruud, with last year's French Open semi-final their only previous encounter on clay.

And given the chaotic schedule in Paris this year, Ruud will likely be grateful for the extra rest as a consequence of his quarter-final walkover win and that could tilt the game in his favour.

Match to feature five sets - 7/4

Ruud is the value bet to win the match but it could still go the distance.

The Norwegian has taken down some accomplished opponents in the French capital but he has dropped at least one set in three of his four matches.

Zverev, meanwhile, was taken to five sets in two of his last three matches and a bet on this semi-final to feature five sets could be worth consideration at 7/4.

There is not a lot between these players, who are both former Grand Slam finalists but also yet to win a major title.

Neither will go down without a fight and both also came into this major fresh from winning competitions, as Zverev triumphed in Rome and Ruud was crowned Geneva Open champion.

So for those on the fence about a bet on the winner, this could be the better way to play it.

Read more tennis betting tips on site.

Casper Ruud v Alex Zverev odds

Casper Ruud - 1/1
Alexander Zverev - 4/5

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.