Casper Ruud vs Tomas Machac Prediction United Cup Tennis Picks 12/29/24

Casper Ruud finished last season ranked 6th in the ATP rankings, a clear improvement from 2023 when he finished 11th. Ruud dropped as low as 12th at one point in 2024, but he played spectacularly on clay to get sufficient points to reclaim a Top 10 ranking.

Overall, Ruud compiled 51 wins and 26 losses, of which 21 wins were on outdoor hard courts. He played in five finals and won his first ATP title above 250 level in Barcelona. Ruud made the second week in two of the four Grand Slams, with the french Open remaining the only tournament he went as far as the semis in 2024.

The Nowergian also qualified for the ATP Finals for the third time in his career and made the semifinal.

Ruud has participated in each of the two previous editions of the United Cup, winning four of five singles matches in the competition.

Tomas Machac Preview

Tomas Machac is the leader of this new generation of Czech players on the ATP Tour. He is the country's No.1 male player heading to the 2025 United Cup. 

He is ranked at a personal best ranking of No. 25 after another great learning year. The 22-year-old picked 37 wins from 61 matches and it won't be long before he hoists his first ATP title.

Machac made the third round of the Australian Open and French Open and advanced to the last 16 of a Grand Slam at the US Open before his campaign was ended by an inspired Jack Draper.

Machac also reached the quarterfinal or better in six ATP tournaments including a runner-up finish in Geneva and the semifinal of Shanghai.

Casper Ruud vs Tomas Machac Head-To-Head

• Casper Ruud and Tomas Machac have met twice on the ATP Tour.

• Ruud leads their series 2-0, although both matches were closely contested.

• Ruud beat Machac most recently in the Geneva Open final last season.

Casper Ruud vs Tomas Machac Prediction

Ruud and Machac have played on Australian soil before with the Norwegian eking out a four-set win in the first round of the 2023 Australian Open. The score of that match was a clear reflection of Machac's potential and he has been tough to beat ever since against the top players. He forces them to raise their level because he's got so much depth and spin in his shots and it is for this reason I fancy him to upset Ruud. Give me Machac at evens.