Serbia Open 2021: Men’s Singles Draw Preview, Analysis and Predictions for Belgrade 2021

The biggest tennis event in Serbia, the ATP 250 Serbia Open held in the Serbian capital, Belgrade is set to return after 9 years and will commence from 19th April. The tournament will feature home favorite and 18-time grand slam champion, Novak Djokovic.

Tournament Details:

• Tournament: Serbia Open 2021
• Date: April 19-25, 2021
• Number of Entrants: 28 (Singles), 16 (Doubles)
• Venue: Belgrade, Serbia
• Surface: Clay Court
• Prize Money: €650,000
• Defending champion: Andreas Seppi (2012)

Top Seeds at the Serbia Open 2021

• Novak Djokovic
• Matteo Berrettini
• Aslan Karatsev
• Dusan Lajovic
• Filip Krajinovic

Men’s Singles Draw Analysis and Prediction

Top Half

The top half of the draw has some potential mouth-watering clashes lined up. It has the likes of tournament favorite Novak Djokovic, Aslan Karatsev and Laslo Djere. Apart from these three, the half consists of some serious Clay court specialists in Miomir Kecmanovic and Aljaz Bedene.

From the top half, Novak Djokovic and Aslan Karatsev have been handed first round byes given their seeding. World No. 1 Novak Djokovic goes in as a huge favorite to lift the trophy in Belgrade.

He will face the winner of Soonwoo Kwon and a qualifier in the second round. He is expected to face 8th seed Miomir Kecmanovic in the quarter-final and should easily be through.

A possible tight match upfront could be Sebastian Korda going up against Aljaz Bedene. The winner will face Aslan Karatsev in the second round who is drawn up with 9th seed Laslo Djere, who could possibly be a tricky opponent for the Russian.

First Semifinal Prediction: Novak Djokovic vs Aslan Karatsev

Bottom Half

The bottom half of the draw features the World No.10 Matteo Berrettini, 4th seed Dusan Lajovic and experienced Clay-courter Pablo Cuevas.

From the bottom half, Matteo Berrettini and Dusan Lajovic have been handed first round byes given their seeding. In not so good form, Italian No.1 will want to make into the latter stages of the tournament.

He will start against either Serbian wild card Viktor Troicki, a former World No. 12, or countryman Marco Cecchinato. Berrettini is contesting his second tournament back from a rib injury, which caused him to withdraw from the Australian Open at the start of the season.

Berrettini is drawn with Serbian 5th seed Filip Krajinovic who could prove out to a tricky opponent. As for Krajinovic, he opens his campaign against Stefano Travaglia and could face Argentine Federico Coria in the Round of 16.

Australian 7th seed John Millman will face wild card Petrovic in the opener and is expected to face experienced Clay-courter Pablo Cuevas. As for Lajovic, he will open his campaign against the winner of Federico Delbonis and Ricardas Berankis. He is drawn with Millman and the two could clash in the Quarter-Finals.

Second Semifinal Prediction: Dusan Lajovic vs Filip Krajinovic

Predicted final

Novak Djokovic vs Filip Krajinovic

The final could very well be an All-Serbian final for the home fans’ delight. Although Djokovic will go in as a mega favorite, but Krajinovic will give him a tough fight.

Predicted champion

Novak Djokovic

Also read: ATP Barcelona Open 2021: Men’s Singles Draw Preview, Analysis and Prediction