Norwegian seeks rhythm against Altmaier after recent retirements and setbacks
Eighth seed Casper Ruud is set to open his Paris Masters campaign against Daniel Altmaier in the second round after receiving a first-round bye. The German advanced with a straight-sets win over Marcos Giron, closing it out with a tight tiebreak. Ruud has enjoyed a solid, if uneven, season marked by highs and scattered setbacks. The Norwegian captured titles in Madrid and Stockholm, defeating Jack Draper and Ugo Humbert in those finals. He also reached the championship match in Dallas, where Denis Shapovalov stopped him in straight sets.
When Casper Ruud hits the backhand like he did today, very few players are able to stop him
— Mario Boccardi (@boccardi_marioo) October 19, 2025
• 22 winners in 66 minutes (avg one every 3 minutes)
• 36/39 points won on serve
Unbelievable performance 👏🏼 pic.twitter.com/7kMFYYhCQe
However, his year has been interrupted by multiple retirements: in Acapulco due to stomach illness, in Shanghai due to heat, and more recently in Basel with a knee issue. Still, Ruud’s consistency on tour has yielded several deep runs, including a semifinal appearance in Tokyo and quarterfinal finishes in Barcelona, Rome, Gstaad, and Basel. Statistically, he has fired 306 aces this season, winning 73% of first-serve points, 30% of return points, and converting 40% of 339 break-point chances.
That backhand is pure poetry ✍🏻@daniel_altmaier #kinoshitajotennis pic.twitter.com/KZB5GDEzhS
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) September 26, 2025
Altmaier, meanwhile, has experienced a quieter season punctuated by flashes of form. Without a main draw ATP title to his name, the German reached quarterfinals in Rotterdam and Marseille, along with a semifinal run at Challenger Turin and quarterfinals at Challenger Cap Cana. Yet frequent early exits and injuries, including a retirement in the third round of the US Open, have disrupted his rhythm. This season, Altmaier has tallied 341 aces while winning 72% of first-serve points, 25% of return points, and converting 38% of 266 break-point opportunities.
Casper Ruud and Daniel Altmaier are set for their first official ATP meeting, though they have shared the court before at the Challenger level. Their past encounters remain tied, making their rivalry inconclusive. Altmaier claimed the first victory at the Belgium F6 event in 2016, while Ruud responded three years later in Braunschweig, winning in straight sets.
| Casper Ruud | Category | Daniel Altmaier |
| 9 | Current Ranking | 50 |
| 297-155 | Career W-L | 62-108 |
| 39-15 | YTD W-L | 18-26 |
| 14 | Career Titles | 0 |
| 0 | Grand Slams | 0 |
| 2 | YTD Titles | 0 |
Ruud’s mix of patience and power should give him the edge indoors, but Altmaier’s composure could test his rhythm early. Expect a steady and straight-set win for the eighth seed.
INSANE 😱
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) October 19, 2025
Casper Ruud with an INCREDIBLE pass! 🔥#BNPParibasNordicOpen pic.twitter.com/2SxdS6cHP3
Prediction: Casper Ruud in straight sets
With Ruud favored at -230, the Norwegian is expected to control proceedings if he maintains consistency on serve. Altmaier’s +188 underdog odds reflect the gap in experience and recent form.
Here are the betting odds according to FanDuel:
Casper Ruud: -230
Daniel Altmaier: +188
Here are the odds for total games as well as total sets for both players (sourced via FanDuel):
Set 1 Winner Ruud: -186
Set 1 Winner Altmaier: +152
(According to FanDuel: FanDuel offers exclusive promo codes, bonus deals and accurate odds for users upon signing up. Use FanDuel to ace your betting game in all sports!)
Mandatory Image Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
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mma I’m an academic turned sports writer from Raipur, India, specializing in the NFL, MMA, and tennis at The Playoffs. I previously wrote for Sportskeeda and hold a B.A. and M.A. in History. My journey into sports media began far from the field, rooted in the arts and sciences. Funny enough, I didn’t grow up a sports fan; I used to see it all as just noise. But a fateful writing job introduced me to the world of sports, and what began as a gig quickly became a passion. I understood those voices aren’t noise; they’re emotions of true sports fans, and now I am one of them, writing with the same energy I once questioned.
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