The big story of the 2021 ATP Serbia Open in Belgrade will be Novak Djokovic’s performance, especially after an early loss at Monte Carlo. But before we get to that, four main draw matches will be completed on Monday. Who do you think will advance?
ATP Belgrade Day 1 Predictions
Federico Coria vs Nikola Milojevic
Head-to-head: Milojevic 2-0
Both players excel on clay courts and this should be a rather high-quality duel. Nikola Milojevic won both head-to-head meetings on this surface two years ago and despite Federico Coria making a lot of progress since then, he should be regarded as the favorite in their third encounter as well. Milojevic will have a lot of momentum on his side coming into this one. The Serbian recently triumphed at Zadar Challenger and has been posting very solid results all year round. Coria had a few good runs in South America but his European clay season has been a massive flop for now.
Prediction: Milojevic in 3
Viktor Troicki vs Marco Cecchinato
Head-to-head: Troicki 1-0
Viktor Troicki’s recent years have absolutely nothing in common with what this player used to be able to achieve. The 35-year-old probably can’t complain much about 2021 as he scored a couple of decent wins qualifying for the Australian Open. Marco Cecchinato is a former semifinalist at Roland Garros and while it would be a bit disrespectful to call him a one-tournament-wonder, that level seems unreachable for him right now as well. Cecchinato is a real clay specialist, though, utilizing his insane variety on this surface like on no other. The Italian should have too much for Troicki, whose repertoire of ways to win the points is certainly not as expanded.
Prediction: Cecchinato in 2
John Millman vs Danilo Petrovic
Head-to-head: First meeting
This really isn’t as easy as it would seem ranking-wise. Danilo Petrovic usually does well on clay and in last year’s form, he’d be a great choice for an upset here. However, 2021 hasn’t been at all kind to the Serbian who only won 2 matches in 9 events, losing in the opening round eight times. Coupled with how solid Millman looked in Cagliari and Monte Carlo, he has to be the pick but he’d better not underestimate Petrovic’s natural ability to play on clay – something the Aussie is lacking.
Prediction: Millman in 2
Filip Krajinovic vs Stefano Travaglia
Head-to-head: 1-1
The only finished match in their head-to-head was an extremely tight victory for Filip Krajinovic on clay and that tells us that this match might easily be the most interesting one on Monday. There’s not much edge to look for in the matchup either. Krajinovic’s ability to take the ball early probably matched by Travaglia’s superior court coverage. The Serbian will be playing at home though and was that tiny bit more impressive in Monte Carlo, only losing to Fabio Fognini after checking out mentally at the end of the second set.
Prediction: Krajinovic in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
