The 2024 Laver Cup will get underway on Friday in Berlin, starting with a showdown between Casper Ruud and Francisco Cerundolo. Stefanos Tsitsipas and Thanasi Kokkinakis will also take the court on Day 1.
Casper Ruud (EUR) vs. Francisco Cerundolo (WOR)
Ruud and Cerundolo will be going head-to-head for the seventh time in their careers when they kick off the Laver Cup at Uber Arena in Berlin on Friday afternoon. They have split their six previous meetings, with Ruud most recently getting the job done 6-3, 6-4 at the Paris Olympics.
Although both players are at the best on clay, Ruud has enjoyed more success on hard courts over the years. Both guys have achieved success on almost every surface, but an indoor hard court should give Ruud a slight edge. It’s also worth noting that the Norwegian is a perfect 3-0 lifetime at the Laver Cup–all in singles. Cerundolo is undefeated in this team competition, as well, but he has played only one match (beat Alejandro Davidovich Fokina last season in Vancouver). All things considered, Ruud should have the upper hand and will likely get the host Europeans off to a strong start.
Pick: Ruud in 2
Stefanos Tsitsipas (EUR) vs. Thanasi Kokkinakis (WOR)
Kokkinakis probably isn’t who Tsitsipas wanted to see on the other side of the net. It does give the Greek a chance for revenge, but it will also bring back sour memories from the recent U.S. Open. Tsitsipas lost to the Australian 7-6(5), 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 in the first round, extending his woes at what has always been his worst Grand Slam.
Things may not improve for Tsitsipas in Berlin. Although the 26-year-old once won the Nitto ATP Finals (2019), he is not good on fast surfaces and indoor hard courts often give him trouble. Tsitsipas has not been good recently on any surface, for that matter. He is 1-4 in his last five matches dating back to his Olympics loss at the hands of eventual gold medalist Novak Djokovic. A relatively in-form Kokkinakis has a great shot at winning this one.
Pick: Kokkinakis in 3
WWW?
Rudd in 3; Tpas in 3.