French Open Men’s Final: Rafael Nadal vs Casper Ruud

Let’s check the latest tennis news, stats, injury reports, and tennis odds for Nadal vs Ruud. We’ve plenty of predictions for you to consider.

Also check on these tennis betting lines.

Nadal Gets Free Pass

Rafael Nadal got a walkover into the French Open final after Alexander Zverev was forced to retire midway through their semifinal due to an ankle injury.

Zverev went into the semifinal knowing he had to play inspired tennis against Nadal to have any hope of beating the Spaniard. As so he did. At times, he even had Nadal on the ropes.

Nadal is the consummate competitor. There is a reason why he is one of the greats in the game and he highlighted those relentlessly as he countered the 25-year-old German’s onslaught.

MINDBLOWING 🤯

and trailing set point!#RolandGarros | @RafaelNadal pic.twitter.com/rSFQ97j0As

— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 3, 2022

Nadal was up a set and level 6-6 in the second when Zverev, chasing down Nadal’s vicious cross-court forehand, stumbled and fell to the ground in agony.  It was quickly evident at that point that Zverev was unlikely to be able to continue.

It was an unfortunate ending to a semifinal that had all the hallmarks of becoming an epic. For Nadal, there is comfort in the knowledge that he was favored to win and in the lead at the time when Zverev sustained the horrific ankle injury.

Ruud Advances to First Slam Final

Ruud wasn’t one of the most prominent contenders in the market, but he was nevertheless among the Top 10 in the pre-tournament French Open futures.

The fact that he fell into the second half of the draw added to his value because it meant that he avoided coming up against the tournament’s top three favorites before the final – Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Carlos Alcaraz.

Ruud made his way through the rounds with relative ease, dropping just a handful of sets along the way. In the semis, Ruud dropped the first set, but he quickly regrouped and came through as the small favorite over Marin Cilic in four sets.

Nadal vs Ruud Head-to-Head

This is the first meeting between Nadal and Ruud on the ATP Tour.

Nadal vs Ruud Name Game Information

• Game: Rafael Nadal (23-3) at Casper Ruud (24-9)
• Location: Court Philippe Chatrier, Roland Garros, Paris, France
• Day/Time: Sunday, June 5, 2022, 9 a.m. ET

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Nadal vs Ruud Name Betting Lines

Rafael Nadal -6.5 1.91 1.18 34.5 1.95o 19.5 1.87o 19.5 1.95u

Casper Ruud +6.5 1.91 5.25 34.5 1.87u 14.5 1.91o 14.5 1.91u

Nadal vs Ruud Prediction

Nadal is the heavy favorite to win the 2022 French Open. BetUS serves up Nadal as the -550 favorite to win outright while Ruud is priced as the huge underdog at +425.

Nadal is also projected at -6½ (-115) on the games’ handicap in betting online markets. Ruud to cover the 6½ games handicap is the lesser favored outcome at -105. In addition, the games’ total is projected to 34½  with a lean toward the UNDER at -115.

As per the markets, Nadal winning a 14th French Open and a 22nd Grand Slam title is the likeliest outcome and the smart bet for tennis picks.

That said, nothing is ever a foregone conclusion in sports. In the spirit of competition, tennis fans will be keen for a competitive French Open final. Heck, Ruud will be keen to do himself justice, too.

Ruud was six years old when Nadal won his first Frenchy. The 23-year-old Norwegian has made no secret of the fact that he’s idolized Nadal since he was a child dreaming of becoming a tennis player. He spent time in his tennis academy as a teenager learning the nuances of clay-court tennis and perfecting his game.

It's all about attitude 😄#RolandGarros | @CasperRuud98 pic.twitter.com/0dgTy6TCFI

— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 3, 2022

There’s no bigger or greater challenge in tennis than facing Nadal on Court Philippe Chatrier in the final of the French Open with La Coupe des Mousquetaires on the line. This is a dream come true for Ruud and for fans of tennis. Nadal should win. Ruud could win. May the best player win!

Pick: Nadal -6½ (-115)