Andrey Rublev and Casper Ruud still have work to do in their Nitto ATP Finals bids and they will continue the charge on quarterfinal Friday in Stockholm. Rublev runs into Stan Wawrinka, while Ruud faces Tallon Griekspoor.
(1) Andrey Rublev vs. (WC) Stan Wawrinka
A quarterfinal appearance at the Nordic Open already marks Wawrinka’s best result of the 2024 campaign. The veteran Swiss was a horrendous 6-14 at the ATP level this season prior to arriving in Stockholm, where he has knocked off Brandon Nakashima (6-4, 6-4) and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina (6-4, 3-6, 7-5).
Up next for Wawrinka on Friday is a fifth meeting with Rublev. The head-to-head series is all tied up at 2-2, with the three-time Grand Slam champion winning their only previous indoor encounter 1-6, 6-4, 6-3 at the 2020 Paris Masters. Although Rublev has been wildly inconsistent this year, this is a good spot for him. The seventh-ranked Russian was dominant in round two against Alexandre Muller and now faces a 39-year-old opponent who is coming off a very tough three-setter. Rublev should win this one with relative ease.
Pick: Rublev in 2(7) Tallon Griekspoor vs. (2) Casper Ruud
Ruud and Griekspoor will be facing each other for the fifth time in their careers and for third time on the main tour. The head-to-head series is tied at 2-2, although Ruud won both of their previous ATP-level encounters after Griekspoor prevailed on the Futures and Challenger circuits.
It would be no surprise if Griekspoor turns the tide back in his favor on Friday. The 37th-ranked Dutchman has won 30 matches this season following straight-set victories in Stockholm over Pavel Kotov and a red-hot Jake Fearnley. Ruud is well off his career-high of No. 2 in the world (currently eighth) and needs some positive results down the stretch to qualify for the Nitto ATP Finals. The Norwegian kicked off his week with a 6-3, 7-6(3) defeat of Lorenzo Sonego, but Griekspoor is a tougher opponent indoors. This is a good opportunity for the underdog.
Pick: Griekspoor in 3
