Despite the disappointment of defeat in the semifinals, Serbia’s Novak Djokovic and Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta still have the chance to secure a medal for their country with the pair set to face off in the bronze medal match at the Tokyo Olympics. As always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for the match. But who will come out on top?
Tokyo Olympics Bronze Medal Match Predictions
Novak Djokovic vs Pablo Carreno Busta
Jim: Djokovic will obviously be the favourite coming into this match having beaten Carreno Busta in four of their five meetings. But the Serbian had history within his reach before losing to Alexander Zverev in the semifinals and will need to find a way to bounce back from that crushing loss. That will be easier said than done for Djokovic. But he has proved himself to be an exceptionally resilient competitor over the years. Expect him to find a way past the Spaniard.
Prediction: Djokovic in 3
Ryan: This one could really go either way. If Djokovic is locked in and sharp physically, he should have no problem with Carreno Busta. But the Spaniard has looked good and was leading Djokovic at the US Open before the world #1 was defaulted. Djokovic will be plenty hungry to take home a medal, and though he may struggle to get fully motivated, he is good enough that he will find a way to win.
Prediction: Djokovic in 3
Anurag: Carreno Busta was brimming with confidence the whole week but looked slightly overawed by the occasion in the semifinal. He may have made a few too many errors in that match, but he has been playing well up to what his ranking suggests. Djokovic, meanwhile, has served miserably in his last two matches. If he does not get his first serve back, or does not put the disheartening semifinal loss behind, I see another medal slipping out of his hands.
Prediction: Carreno Busta in 3
Carreno Busta at his best is the sort of player that can play Djokovic at his own game (steady but strong tennis that drives the other player up the wall) and the Spaniard is clearly in good form, having defeated Daniil Medvedev and Marin Cilic earlier in the week. To boot, Djokovic will be feeling fairly disappointed after losing to Zverev. I think this combination will cause Djokovic to start slow but he’ll eventually find the gear required to push through to the bronze.
Prediction: Djokovic in 3
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