Emil Ruusuvuori vs Alexander Zverev Prediction: Zverev has too much power

Analysis and prediction for US Open Round 128 match between Emil Ruusuvuori and Alexander Zverev on the 26th of August 2024.

The young Finn has seen his star rise on the ATP Tour. Certainly, this season has been like many others, with an up-and-down work for any player who is still feeling out the elite. Over the past two months, Ruusuvuori has shown glimpses of his brilliance, more so on hard courts, where his style of play from the aggressive baseline, really comes alive with powerful groundstrokes. However, it is patchy performances characteristic of his inconsistency that have been his bane.

Ruusuvuori can only really be aggressive, mainly looking to dictate points from the baseline. He wants to use his strong forehand to move Zverev around the court and keep the rallies short. It all starts with serving for Ruusuvuori; he needs to place his serves well continually to avoid giving Zverev chances to break. Watch for him taking time away from Zverev to step into the court and take the ball early.

On the other side of the net, you have Zverev, who certainly doesn't mind the big stage. A really tough 2023 season, compromised by injuries, finally sees Zverev gradually finding his footing again in 2024. The results have been mixed, but he has shown glimpses of the top-level tennis which once took him to the brink of Grand Slam glory. The powerful serve and strong baseline game of Zverev are back, but questions over his mental fortitude in crucial moments still linger.

Zverev will look to dominate with his serve and baseline consistency, looking to exploit Ruusuvuori's second serve, which can be vulnerable. The German's backhand, one of the finest in the game, will be key to neutralizing Ruusuvuori's forehand. Provided Zverev can keep his nerve and avoid those double faults that sometimes creep into his game, he ought to be able to control things from the back of the court.

Zverev comes as the overwhelming favorite in this match not only due to his higher ranking and usually being more experienced but also due to the head-to-head advantage he holds. But Ruusuvuori is no pushover, and if he catches Zverev off on a bad day, especially if Zverev's serve falls apart, then there is a way to win.

In the end, however, it's Zverev who has the edge in serve, experience, and the baseline game. I expect Zverev to win in not less than four sets. Ruusuvuori will have his moments, sure, but the superior firepower and composure in the big points of Zverev are likely to be too much for the young Finn to overcome.

• Over 31.5 Games at 1.60 Odds
• Total 4 Sets at 3.00
• Alexander Zverev Win 3-1 at 3.25 Odds