Predictor Picks: Why rolling Ruud is a no-brainer selection

ATP Tour

The clay-court season continues with three events in Europe, including an ATP 500 in Barcelona and ATP 250 events in Bucharest and Munich. Among the stars in action are Andrey Rublev, Casper Ruud, Holger Rune and Francisco Cerundolo.

Before each tournament week, ATPTour.com looks at three players who might be good selections for fans in the PIF ATP Rankings Predictor.

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Casper Ruud — Barcelona — replacing 45 points
The Norwegian star Ruud has been one of the most consistent players on the ATP Tour in 2024. He has won multiple matches at every tournament he has played this season and has shown form reminiscent of his time at No. 2 in the PIF ATP Rankings.

Ruud has competed in Barcelona three times, reaching the quarter-finals in 2022 (l. to Carreno Busta) and the Round of 16 last year. But signs point towards the 25-year-old arriving in Spain with a chance to make a much deeper run.

The two-time Roland Garros finalist is into the final in Monte-Carlo, where he upset World No. 1 Novak Djokovic for the first time in their Lexus ATP Head2Head series. He is second on the ATP Tour in wins this season (24-6) according to Infosys ATP Stats, only trailing Jannik Sinner.

The third seed will open his tournament in Barcelona against Alexandre Muller or wild card Albert Ramos-Vinolas.

Tallon Griekspoor — Bucharest — replacing 20 points
Griekspoor is another player who has shown consistency throughout 2024, winning at least one match in each tournament he has played since the United Cup in Week 1.

The Dutchman has not reached an ATP Tour final on clay, but he has said it is his favourite surface. On the ATP Challenger Tour, Griekspoor won nearly 72 per cent of his clay-court matches, including nine titles on the surface.

The second seed in Bucharest pushed Alex de Minaur to a third set in Monte-Carlo and will be a tough out for anyone who stands across the net this coming week. Griekspoor will play Marton Fucsovics or a qualifier in the first round.

Jan-Lennard Struff — replacing 25 points
Clay has historically been Struff’s best surface by winning percentage and two of his three finals have come on clay.

Last year, the German made a memorable run to the final of the ATP Masters 1000 in Madrid, where he won five consecutive three-setters.

The Munich fourth seed is comfortable at this tournament, having advanced to the championship match in 2021. He will try to improve his 12-8 record at the tournament against Botic van de Zandschulp or a qualifier. Munich is a tournament where he has performed well, reaching the final in 2021.

Bonus Ball — Casper Ruud
Since Ruud will chase an ATP 500 title in Barcelona, he can earn plenty of points in the coming week. That raises the Norwegian’s ceiling of net points, making him a good player on whom to place your Bonus Ball.

Ruud has made 21 tour-level finals in his career, 15 of which have come on clay. If he makes another championship clash appearance in Barcelona, fans can reap the rewards.