The legend of Roger Federer continues in Paris, as he easily passed his first two tests at the 2019 French Open. Up ahead of the Greatest Ever is the young Casper Ruud, who has the chance to put himself in the headlines if he could take down the icon this coming Friday. Going into the match, the sportsbook favors the veteran with -900 odds to make it through the round, while Ruud isn’t quite a dud, with +550 odds to make it through.
For the first time in his young professional tennis career, Ruud is headed to the third round of a Grand Slam tournament after edging out Matteo Berrettini in the second round, 6-4, 7-5, 6-3. Although he’s a relative unknown compared to Federer, Ruud has been showing some great tennis on clay of late. Prior to the 2019 French Open, Ruud managed to go as deep as the round of 16 of the Rome Masters, falling prey to Juan Martin del Potro, 6-4, 6-4. Ruud doesn’t seem to feel much pressure in having to face a legend in the next round. Knowing almost everyone expect him to lose to Federer, Ruud said that that kind of thought eases him of the pressure and stress heading into the third round. Against Berrettini, Ruud had 63 percent of his first serves landing in play, winning 76 percent of points off of those. His return game was also on point, as he won 43 percent of his receiving points.
Betting on the Roger Federer (-900)
Federer is showing no signs of slowing down at Roland Garros. After dismantling Lorenzo Sonego in the first round, Federer dispatched of Oscar Otte in the following match, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4. As it currently stands, Federer has yet to drop a set, and that’s very likely what’s going to happen again against Ruud, whose lack of experience and success opposite to Federer speak a lot about the Swiss’ chances of having an easy trip to the fourth round at the expense of the 20-year-old from Norway. Federer continue to defy his age at the French Open and played without signs of health concerns against Otte, as he put a whopping 75 percent of his first serves in play and won 75 percent of his first serve points. Federer also broke Otte’s serve three out of four chances. Federer was never broken while also breaking Otte three out of four offerings.
