The ATP 500 Rio Open winner will be crowned on Sunday afternoon on the clay of the Jockey Club Brasileiro. The once 32-man draw has dwindled down to its final, with No. 1 seed and reigning champion Carlos Alcaraz taking on No. 2 seed Cameron Norrie. Both players come into this final with a lot of confidence and should put on a show for the fans. The question remains, who will raise the title in Rio De Janeiro?
ATP Rio De Janeiro Final Prediction
Carlos Alcaraz vs Cameron Norrie
Head-to-Head: Alcaraz 4-1 Norrie
Alcaraz and Norrie will meet for the second time in as many weeks as the 19-year-old Spaniard got the better of the Brit last Sunday, 6-3 7-5, in the Buenos Aires final. Alcaraz holds the 4-1 head-to-head advantage in this matchup, but most of their encounters have been competitive.
The Spaniard has won all eight matches he has played this year but has been tested during his three most recent wins in Rio. Norrie has also been tested this week, needing three sets during his quarterfinal win over Hugo Dellien and semifinal win over Bernabe Zapata Miralles. I expect Alcaraz and Norrie to trade punches early in this final as both players look to establish an early footing. That said, expect to be tuned into this match for three+ hours. Both guys are comfortable grinding points and will take advantage of their opposition’s slightest mistakes.
I believe this match goes to a decider. In the third set, it is all about who holds their nerve and comes up with big shots when they need it most. Because of this, I give a slight advantage to the Spaniard. Alcaraz is more adept at taking risks and looking for balls he can put away. Norrie can dig from the corners with the best in the world, but when you play someone with the supreme talent of Alcaraz, that will not be enough. I expect the 19-year-old to rise to the occasion on his path to career title No. 8.
Prediction: Alcaraz in 3
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
