Tomas Etcheverry vs Novak Djokovic Pick – Tennis Predictions & Odds 5/12/23

Novak Djokovic and Tomas Etcheverry meet in the second round of the 2023 tennis Italian Open. Let’s preview this game and give out a pick and prediction.

Novak Djokovic will play his first match since Banja Luka, so he’s been out of action for about 3 weeks. In his last effort, Djokovic failed to convert on 15 of his 16 break chances and lost as a -1250 favorite. Djokovic hasn’t lost an opening match since Monte Carlo of last year. Of course, Djokovic is no stranger to the Italian Open, as he’s the defending champion and has won this tournament 6 times overall. Djokovic has lost 3 of his last 5 matches, but his experience here and the rest makes him the guy to beat yet again. Djokovic has won 7 of his last 10 matches on clay court.

Tomas Etcheverry is coming off a straight set win over Luca van Assche that took 22 games to decide. In the victory, Etcheverry won 74 percent of his first serve points and 48 percent of his second serve points. Etcheverry won 63 percent of his total service points and converted on 5 of his 10 break points. Etcheverry got 58 percent of his first serves in play and hit 7 aces. Etcheverry still has little experience on the main tour and has a chance at his biggest win of his career at 23 years old. Etcheverry hasn’t won back to back matches since making the final in Houston. Etcheverry has split his last 8 matches on clay court. 

There’s no match history between these 2 players.

Etcheverry has a shot to surprise some folks if he can keep racking up the free points with his serve. However, experience is key here, and you don’t see Djokovic lose matches like this often. Djokovic usually has his way with players who are still trying to make their way consistently in the main tour. We’ve seen this countless times over the last decade.

Give me Djokovic in straight sets for max betting value.