Holger Rune vs Constant Lestienne Prediction: The Dane will take revenge on the Frenchman

Rune was one of the few members of the top 10 who dared to play in a tournament last week. The Dane didn't win anything in Montpellier, but he did get some practice on the indoor courts, which may now help the Scandinavian in Rotterdam. Holger's first opponent in Holland will be Frenchman Lestienne, the world number 48, and Holger is quoted as the big favorite.

Between the Australian Open and his appearance in Montpellier, Rune played two Davis Cup matches for his team. Holger proved stronger than two little-known Indians. As for the Montpellier tournament, Holger beat Huesler and Barrère in France but lost to Cressy. The match against the American lasted two hours and 36 minutes, with Rune losing 5-7, 7-6, 6-7. Overall, Rune was unlikely to be too disappointed not to win the tournament and move up to eighth in the ATP rankings. Now Rune has an opportunity to rectify this already in the confrontation with the strongest tennis players, such as Tsitsipas and Medvedev.

Lstienne is ranked 48th in the ATP peloton. Before the 2023 Australian Open, the Frenchman reached the semi-finals in Auckland, where he was to play against his compatriot Gasquet, but did not show up for the match, complaining about an injury. In Melbourne, the Frenchman lost in the second round to Norrie in four sets. In Montpellier, he lost already in the first round to Basilashvili. In Rotterdam, he qualified by beating Marterer and the same Basilashvili.

In 2019, Lestienne confidently defeated Rune in two sets, 6-4, 6-3, at a tournament in Blois, France. That said, note that Rune was only 16 years old at the time.

Lestienne is obviously inferior to Rune on the court, and to level this nuance, the Frenchman needs a powerful and stable serve, which, by and large, he does not have. Had Rune been in a weaker tone, the Frenchman would also have had a chance of fighting back and winning the final match. But the Dane's current tone is no worse than the Frenchman's, and even better. Therefore, we see little chance for Lestienne to win the set, let alone the match. Here are the betting options for this game:

• W1+TU (21.5) for 1.79;
• Handicap 1 (-5.5) for 2.40.