Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the Belgrade Open match.
Veteran Croatian Marin Cilic faces off for the first time against young Czech talent Jiri Lehecka at the indoor tournament in Belgrade. Cilic is eager to showcase his skills despite his current ranking, as this is an opportunity for him to progress to the quarterfinals. Lehecka, currently ranked 31st in the ATP standings, will aim to utilise his potential and high level of play to justify his favourite status.
Marin Cilic
Cilic, the seasoned Croatian and 2014 US Open champion, is ranked 196th in the ATP rankings, although he was once as high as third. He has traditionally performed well indoors, winning 144 out of 225 matches on this surface. In his last seven indoor matches, Cilic played at least 23 games in six instances, highlighting his ability to stay competitive until the end. In four of his last five encounters with Czech players, at least 22 games were played. The Croatian is known for his powerful flat serve and effective forehand, but his court movement has become less active, which might affect his performance against younger opponents.
Jiri Lehecka
Lehecka, ranked 31st in the world, prefers playing on clay but delivers consistent results on hard and indoor courts. His career record on these surfaces isn't as strong as on open courts, with 48 wins out of 83 indoor matches. This season hasn’t been his best, with just 5 wins in 10 matches on this surface, and recently, the Czech has struggled, losing three of his last four matches. His encounters with Croatian players often go the distance: in eight of his last nine matches, at least 22 games were played, which could impact the upcoming match. Lehecka favours an attacking style, maintaining an active presence on the court and preventing his opponents from developing their game. While his powerful forehand is a strength, his serve is less impressive compared to other top-50 players.
Marin Cilic vs Jiri Lehecka Prediction
Despite issues with form and age, Cilic retains a determined character and can challenge any opponent. Lehecka, though favoured, has shown inconsistencies in recent matches. Based on the current form of both players and their statistics, the match is likely to be drawn out. Considering all factors, there is a high likelihood of a tightly contested game with many long rallies. Therefore, a bet on a total over 21.5 is worth considering.
