Yosuke Watanuki - Casper Ruud predictions and free betting tips [17/10/2023]

In the 1/16 finals of the tournament in Tokyo on the hard surface, Yosuke Watanuki from Japan and Casper Ruud from Germany will face off. Betting on Watanuki with a 3.5 game advantage.

Yosuke Watanuki

25-year-old Yosuke Watanuki, currently holding the 79th position in the global rating, previously participated in the Shanghai tournament, defeating Shan with a score of 7:6 (9:7), 4:6, 6:4, before losing to Fritz 6:7 (2:7), 7:6 (8:6), 4:6. Prior to this, at the Asian Games, the tennis player reached the final beating Alharasi, Ramanathan, Evseyev and Hon, but eventually lost to Zhang. In the Shanghai Challenger, Yosuke also reached the finals, overcoming Bolt with a score of 6:4, 6:0, Galaka 6:1, 6:1, Li 6:2, 6:0 and Shan 6:4, 6:2, before losing to O'Connell 3:6, 5:7.

At the US Open, Watanuki suffered an opening-round defeat to Mannarino with a score of 5:7, 7:6 (7:3), 3:6, 5:7, but chalked up a semi-final spot at the Stanford Challenger, defeating Johnson with a score of 7:5, 5:7, 6:4, Moreno De Alboran 7:5, 6:3 and Duckworth 6:1, 6:3, yet had to forfeit his match against Lestienne. Earlier in Washington, Yosuke claimed two resounding victories against Wu Yibing and Auger-Aliassime 7:6 (12:10), 7:6 (7:3), however bowed out in the next round, losing to Humbert with a score of 0:6, 2:6.

Additionally, Watanuki qualified for Wimbledon this season, claiming victory over Hon with a score of 7:6 (7:4), 7:6 (9:7) and Celikbilek 7:6 (7:4), 6:3, before conceding defeat to Novak with a score of 7:6 (9:7), 3:6, 3:6, 4:6. In the main draw of the tournament, he took down Husler, but ultimately lost to Zverev.

At the start of the season, Yosuke made it to the semi-finals of the Canberra Challenger, defeating Van Ashem, Rodionov, and Gombos, before losing to Fucsovics. Also in February, he showcased some solid gameplay in the Monterey tournament, reaching the semi-finals. In other tournaments of the season, he couldn't clear the second round.

Casper Ruud

24-year-old Casper Ruud, currently ranked 9th in the world rating, earlier participated in the Shanghai tournament, securing victories over Nishioka with a score of 7:5, 6:0 and Eubanks 6:4, 6:2, before succumbing to Marozhan 6:7 (3:7), 6:3, 4:6. In Beijing, the tennis player advanced to the quarter-finals, ousting Struff with a score 7:6 (7:5), 6:3 and Etcheverry 1:6, 7:5, 7:6 (9:7), but fell short against Alcaraz 4:6, 2:6. Prior to this, the tennis player faced a series of defeats and lost four out of his last six matches, at the US Open he triumphed Nava 7:6 (7:5), 3:6, 6:4, 7:6 (7:5), but conceded defeat to Zhang 4:6, 7:5, 2:6, 6:0, 2:6, suffered a loss against Pörschel 4:6, 6:3, 4:6 in Cincinnati, ousted Lehetchka in Toronto but fell to Davidovich Fokina, and in Hamburg reached the quarter-finals, defeating Baesa and Garin, but lost to Fils.

At the Bastad tournament, Casper Ruud made it to the finals, prevailing over Shevchenko 6:2, 6:4, Ofner 6:3, 6:4 and Musetti 6:3, 7:5, only to be beaten by Rublev 6:7 (3:7), 0:6. At the French Open, he advanced to the finals, where he was defeated by Djokovic with a score of 6:7 (1:7), 3:6, 5:7, but had prior victories over Imer 6:4, 6:3, 6:2, Zeppieri 6:3, 6:2, 4:6, 7:5, Zhang 4:6, 6:4, 6:1, 6:4, Harry 7:6 (7:3), 7:5, 7:5, Rune 6:1, 6:2, 3:6, 6:3 and Zverev 6:3, 6:4, 6:0. In Rome, the tennis player also made it to the semi-finals, but was eventually bested by Rune.

Moreover, in April, Casper claimed victory in the Estoril tournament, defeating Sousa, Baesa, Gali and Kecmanovic. In the rest of this season's tournaments, he generally didn't advance beyond the second round.

Head-to-Head

The athletes have not previously played against each other.

Prediction for the Watanuki - Ruud match

Considering the form Ruud is currently in, I believe that Watanuki could pose a challenge for him. Betting on the positive handicap.