Martin Landaluce and Nicolai Budkov Kjaer meet at the Next Gen Finals in Jeddah on 17 Dec, an indoor hard-court match played best of five under the event's distinct scoring format. This preview runs through the key numbers and storylines, and also explains how to watch or follow the match live, including live stream and live score options in your region.
They are separated by just two ranking places, and the prices are identical, yet the head-to-head record is one-sided. That tension sets the tone for a match where small swings could matter.FINISHED
Landaluce M.
Budkov Kjaer N.
1-4
, 4-3
, 2-4
, 3-4
Martin Landaluce has beaten Nicolai Budkov Kjaer in all three of their meetings, including a straight-sets win in Orleans in September on hard courts. The most recent clash came in Prague in May, where Landaluce again won in two sets. Across the series, the underlying pattern has favoured him too, with stronger hold and break-point figures hinting at clearer control on the key points.
Landaluce M.
Budkov Kjaer N.
On hard courts this season, Landaluce is 24-15 with one Challenger title, while Budkov Kjaer is 23-10 and has three Challenger titles. The serving efficiency is similar at around 80% of service games held for both, so the separation comes elsewhere. Landaluce has won 28% of return games on the year compared with Budkov Kjaer's 19%, a gap that can turn tight sets into extended pressure.
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Across the last 10 matches overall, Landaluce is 6-4 and Budkov Kjaer is 5-5, with Budkov Kjaer sliding after a five-match winning run. Budkov Kjaer has posted 86% service games won in that stretch and averages 6.1 aces per match, so he can shorten points quickly. Landaluce's return work has been steadier, and his first-set win rate is higher at 50% to 40%.
Landaluce M.
Budkov Kjaer N.
Bookmakers price Martin Landaluce at 1.91 against Nicolai Budkov Kjaer at 1.91, with first-set prices also 1.91 versus 1.91. It is a striking contrast with the head-to-head record, and it keeps the match framed as a very fine margin contest.
Budkov Kjaer's recent serving numbers suggest he can protect his delivery for long spells, but Landaluce has been the more consistent return presence across both the season and their meetings.
The workload coming in looks manageable for both, and the usual back-to-back concerns are not a major theme here. With the event using a different scoring format, the match can turn quickly, so whoever wins the early return games and settles first should gain a meaningful edge.Prediction
Martin Landaluce
Nicolai Budkov Kjaer
Overall indicators tilt slightly towards Martin Landaluce, led by a 3-0 head-to-head advantage and stronger return-game success on hard courts this season. The perfectly even odds, and Nicolai Budkov Kjaer's big recent serving numbers, keep it close. Add the event's alternative scoring format and there is less room for complacency, but Landaluce still has the clearer data-led lean.
Odds
