Tue Oct 29 20:40:00 UTC 2024: ## Thompson Favored to Upset Struggling Ruud at Paris Masters

Despite being a Top 10 player and former world No. 2, Casper Ruud is experiencing a slump in form, losing seven of his last nine matches. This has opened the door for his opponent, Jordan Thompson, to be favored in their Round of 32 match at the Rolex Paris Masters.

Ruud has struggled against lower-ranked players, suffering losses to Henrique Rocha, Aleksandar Vukic, and Roberto Bautista Agut – players he typically dominates. This inconsistency has been attributed to a lack of offseason in tennis and a perceived lack of focus on the end-of-year tournaments, despite Ruud being in contention for the ATP Finals.

Adding to Ruud’s woes, Thompson has a strong record against him, having won two of their three encounters in 2024. This includes a straight-sets victory over Ruud in Tokyo just a few weeks ago. Thompson’s aggressive style, which features a big serve and strong net play, seems to expose weaknesses in Ruud’s game, particularly his inconsistent baseline play.

Thompson’s odds of winning are particularly attractive, considering his recent success against Ruud and the Norwegian’s current slump. While Ruud is a more talented player overall, Thompson’s strong serve and solid baseline game make him a dangerous opponent, making him a strong bet for the upset.

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