With a number of star names set to take to the courts on day four at the ATP Belgrade Open, including a certain 20-time Major champion, there should be plenty of entertaining action in the Serbian capital. As always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match on the schedule, including Jiri Lehecka vs Andrey Rublev. But who will advance?
ATP Belgrade Day 4 Predictions
Fabio Fognini vs Aljaz Bedene
Head-to-head: Fognini 8-1 Bedene
To say that Fabio Fognini has had the better of this rivalry would be something of an understatement. They have met nine times and the Italian has won eight of those matches (albeit one by retirement). That said, when they last faced off, in Cordoba in 2019, it was Aljaz Bedene who came out on top and comfortably at that, losing just five games in a comprehensive 6-4 6-1 win. But the Slovenian, who is currently working his way back from injury may be hard-pressed to back that win up.
He showed impressive grit to see-off the veteran Mikhail Kukushkin in three hard-fought sets, but it was hardly a vintage performance from Bedene. Fognini too is not the force he once was, but after a slow start against his compatriot Marco Cecchinato, he found his range to record a 6-7 6-2 6-2 win. Ultimately, if both men play their best tennis, Fognini will win this match. If neither man plays their best tennis, Fognini will probably still win.
Prediction: Fognini in 2
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Holger Rune vs Taro Daniel
Head-to-head: Rune 1-0 Daniel
Growing up between Japan and New York is not an obvious route to success on the clay, but Taro Daniel has scored some good results on the surface. He is enjoying another fine week on the terre battue at the ATP Belgrade Open, coming through the qualifying with comfortable wins over Aleksandr Nedovyesov of Kazakhstan and Liam Broady of Great Britain. He backed that up by upsetting home hope and former Monte Carlo Masters finalist Dusan Lajovic in the first round of the main draw.
He was under the cosh in the first set, but hit back impressively in the second before edging the Serb out in a third-set tiebreak. He did lose his only previous meeting with Holger Rune, however, and in straight sets in similar conditions in Szczecin in 2019. The Dane also looked very sharp in dismantling fifth seed Cristian Garin in the first round. Rune lost just four games in beating Garin and if he can maintain that level, he should have too much for Daniel.
Prediction: Rune in 2
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Novak Djokovic vs Miomir Kecmanovic
Head-to-head: Djokovic 1-0 Kecmanovic
Novak Djokovic has the weight of history behind him, with his career achievements unsurprisingly vastly outstripping those of his compatriot. He also dismissed Miomir Kecmanovic when they met at this very event in the quarterfinals, winning 6-1 6-3. Despite all of that, Kecmanovic is probably the favourite coming into this match. He has had a superb season so far, having posted a 19-7 record and he thrashed Richard Gasquet 6-0 6-3 in his opener before beating John Millman 6-4 7-6.
Djokovic, by way of contrast, has gone 3-2 so far in 2022 in a season in which his capacity for self-sabotage has reached fresh heights. His refusal to get vaccinated has left him woefully short of match practice, which has shown in defeat against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in Monte Carlo and a narrow, somewhat lucky, win over Laslo Djere in his opener in Belgrade. Unless he can somehow muster a sharp improvement here – admittedly not out of the question – Kecmanovic should have the edge.
Prediction: Kecmanovic in 3
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