Novak Djokovic vs. Filip Krajinovic – 9/18/20 Rome Open Tennis Picks, Odds, and Predictions

Novak Djokovic meets Filip Krajinovic in the third round of the 2020 Rome Open on Friday, September 18th 2020. Will Krajinovic get the best of Djokovic once again as he did in the Adria Tour in June, or will Djokovic get his revenge?

Filip Krajinovic has just been in complete control here at the Rome Open, winning his opening round match against Felix Auger-Aliassime in straight sets and his second round match against Marco Cecchinato in straight sets as well. Krajinovic loves to play on clay and he is one of the more solid and consistent players in the game. Krajinovic knows Djokovic very well as they are fellow Serbian David Cup teammates and close friends. Krajinovic will know he will have a tough task at hand when he meets Djokovic on Friday, but I am sure he is confident in himself and his ability to take the game to Novak.

Novak Djokovic made easy work of Salvatore Caruso in his second round and first match here at the 2020 Rome Open, beating the Italian in straight sets. Djokovic looked extremely solid and he will definitely want to continue playing with this confidence and motivation behind him. Djokovic knows he is not the favourite to win the tournament here in Rome and I think that gives him a lot of motivation to at least make it to the final and show us that perhaps he can challenge Rafael Nadal on clay. Djokovic know faces a tough opponent in Krajinovic and he will have to be perfect if he is to go through here.

This will be the first full match between these two players, with Krajinovic having won their prior encounter due to retirement. Krajinovic also won a friendly match they played at the Adria Tour earlier in June 2020 in a very tight match. Djokovic knows that if he is not at his best, and Krajinovic is at his, that this match could be extremely tough for the World No.1. Djokovic will need to be superb here and make sure he is composed, but this is Djokovic and we would not expect any less. Novak Djokovic to win.