*Match preview and betting tips provided by Wadster Tips
The match up on the backhand side appears to favour Medvedev here. He hits very flat and deep on the backhand side and should be able to lock into a battle with Ruud struggling to get out of this rally construction if playing with accuracy. Has been a prevalent them in their H2H with Medvedev winning 3-0 in matches and 6-0 in sets by an average of 6 games a match.
Too much appears to have been factored into Ruud wins over Korda & Fritz which were in evening conditions that makes the ball heavier and suits Ruud in terms of being more potent on the forehand side and more time to protect the backhand. But generally he looks more vulnerable in day conditions with 3 losses at Madrid at sub 1.3 odds in the previous 3 years (Auger-Alliassime, Arnaldi & Lajovic).
Medvedev is hardly reliable this year to be honest, but his performances on clay haven't been too bad on a general level. Looked pretty good vs Nakashima after a slow start and did beat the likes of Fils & Paul at Indian Wells. Courts at Madrid do help his type of groundies and had some decent wins last year in reaching the quarter finals before injury.
Medvedev should be around evens to win this, and if he locks in mentally, and doesn't switch off (as this year's form suggests he might), then he could well turn Ruud over here.