One final to preview from Barcelona today, with Andrey Rublev and Arthur Fils playing for the title under pleasant conditions, 71°F and partially cloudy. Should be a good day for clay court tennis.
Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell Predictions
Andrey Rublev vs Arthur Fils
Head-to-head: Rublev 1-1 Fils
The head-to-head is perfectly split, but context matters here. These two are meeting in a final on clay, and Rublev has been the steadier clay court performer over his career, grinding through tough matches in a way Fils hasn't quite had to do yet at this level. Fils is exciting and hits the ball hard, but Barcelona's slower red clay, one of the more grinding surfaces on the whole tour, tends to neutralize the big shot-making that makes him so dangerous on faster surfaces.
That said, Fils has clearly earned his place in this final and shouldn't be written off. He's been improving his consistency in longer rallies and is comfortable enough on clay to push Rublev deep into a third set. I think Rublev's experience in big finals on this surface is what separates them in the end and he takes it in three, all things considered.
Prediction: Rublev in 3
For full predictions on ATP and WTA matches today, check out Uppset.
Credit Image: © Marti Segura Ramoneda/ZUMA Press Wire