ATP Vienna 2020: Dusan Lajovic vs Lorenzo Sonego Preview, Head-to-Head and Prediction for Erste Banke Open

ATP Vienna 2020: Dusan Lajovic vs Lorenzo Sonego Preview, Head-to-Head and Prediction for Erste Banke Open
Dusan Lajovic vs Lorenzo Sonego

Dusan Lajovic will take on Lorenzo Sonego in the first round of the 2020 Vienna Open. This will be their third meeting.

The matchup was a last-minute decision as Diego Schwartzman withdrew from the tournament, allowing Sonego a lucky chance in the main draw.

Match Details

  • Tournament: ATP Erste Bank Open
  • Date: 27th October 2020
  • Match: Dusan Lajovic vs Lorenzo Sonego
  • Venue: Vienna, Austria
  • Category: ATP 500
  • Surface: Indoor hardcourt
  • Prize Money: Approx. €1,409,510

Dusan Lajovic vs Lorenzo Sonego: Match Preview

Dusan Lajovic

Serbian Dusan Lajovic prefers to play on clay, much like his opponent in this match. However, he is fairly more experienced than him, being on tour for much longer. He had a decent clay season, making the last 16 in the Rome Masters and the quarterfinals of the Hamburg Open. He has competed in one indoor hardcourt tournament this season, which will grant him a much-needed edge over Sonego.

FS Video

Meanwhile, Lorenzo Sonego will be feeling quite lucky today. After missing out on a qualifier spot, he was resigned to returning home, his hopes of a good Vienna Open extinguished. Then, Diego Schwartzman, the sixth seed, withdrew from the tournament, possibly fatigued after a very hectic indoor hardcourt season. His withdrawal granted Sonego the chance to play in the main draw, something he will be taking as a boon.

The Italian 25-year-old achieved his best result at a Grand Slam when he reached the fourth round of this year’s French Open. He also reached a career-best singles ranking of 42 in the process. However, being a clay-court specialist, he hasn’t participated in any indoor hardcourt tournament yet this year. His last tournament was on clay, two weeks ago – the Forte Village Sardegna Open, where he lost in the second round.

Dusan Lajovic vs Lorenzo Sonego: Head-to-Head

Lorenzo Sonego

The two players have faced each other twice before, with both taking a win each. Both these meetings took place on clay, however.

Their first meeting was in the quarterfinals of the 2019 Monte Carlo Masters, which Lajovic won in straight sets. Their last meeting was at Rio this year, which was a very tightly-contested battle with both sets going to the tiebreak. Sonego eventually prevailed with a close scoreline of 7-6(5), 7-6(5).

This will be their third meeting. The head-to-head is tied at 1-1.

Dusan Lajovic vs Lorenzo Sonego: Match Prediction

Dusan Lajovic might just pull through this match.

Since both players lack any preference to the indoor hardcourt surface of Vienna, they will find it hard going forward in the tournament. However, Lajovic has had some match experience on the surface this year at the European Open in Antwerp. Despite losing in the first round to Frances Tiafoe, it will surely help him in this match.

Sonego’s agility and consistency will help him maintain longer rallies. But, he faces a stern test in the Serb’s deadly one-handed backhand, which may create tight angles for the Italian to chase.

Ultimately, Lajovic’s extra year’s of experience will help him win this match.

Match Prediction: Dusan Lajovic to win in three sets against Lorenzo Sonego.

Also Read: ATP Vienna 2020: Felix Auger-Aliassime vs Vasek Pospisil Preview, Head-to-Head and Prediction for Erste Bank Open