If Ruud wins on Friday….

[1hander]

Will that make win a better clay courter than Thiem? Ruud will have made 3 consecutive FO finals. Thiem might have reached a higher top level but it is hard to argue against Ruud as the better dirt baller.

 

[dapchai]

Of course. Results wise Ruud is currently just a bit below Thiem on the dirt:

Ruud: 2 RG finals and 1 RG semifinal, 1 M1000 finals on clay with 6 additional semis, 1 Barcelona win

Thiem: 2 RG finals and 1 RG semifinal, 2 M1000 finals on clay with 3 additional semis, 1 Barcelona win and 1 Rio win

You could say Thiem had to face a much better version of Rafa though.

 

[Quaichang]

Will that make win a better clay courter than Thiem? Ruud will have made 3 consecutive FO finals. Thiem might have reached a higher top level but it is hard to argue against Ruud as the better dirt baller.

No. Thiem beat Djokovic en route to final.

 

[junior74]

History won't say anything about who lost to the better version of Rafa

Ruud is still young.

 

[dapchai]

History won't say anything about who lost to the better version of Rafa

Ruud is still young.

What do you think about Casper's chances this RG? If he wins he would be the first Norwegian to win a slam.

 

[MeatTornado]

On paper, yes. In reality he's not actually better. Ruud simply doesn't have the game to at least threaten Nadal and Djokovic on clay the way Thiem was able to.

Neither were able to snag a Masters on clay, but at least Thiem would get an annual Bo3 win over Rafa before losing to someone else.

 

[junior74]

Going into RG, I guessed QF at best. He looks decent now, and I think he makes the final. Sinner/ Alcaraz are too good.

 

[ChaelAZ]

I am picking Ruud to bagel Djo today. Straight sets, every point. New God mode unlocked!