Novak Djokovic vs Grigor Dimitrov Prediction & Betting Tips - ATP Italian Open

Prediction published on 14/05/2023, 05:15  by Devesh Jaganath | Modified on 14/05/2023 at 09:23 in Tennis Predictions

Novak Djokovic and Grigor Dimitrov will meet in the second round of the ATP Rome Masters on Sunday afternoon. Djokovic now ranked second in the world in the live rankings, continues to work his way back to full fitness following a series of injuries that have affected his progress this year. Following a first-round win over Tomas Martin Etcheverry in straight sets, the Serbian is now 18-3 for the year but still only 3-2 on the clay. Djokovic bowed out at this stage of the last two clay court tournaments he played in, against Lorenzo Musetti at the Monte Carlo Masters and Dusan Lajovic at the Srpska Open last month. 

Grigor Dimitrov has also seen his world ranking slip this year, down from 28th in January to 33rd coming into this tournament. The Bulgarian hasn't found his best form as yet this season, as his only performance of note came in February in Rotterdam, where he reached the semi-final before bowing out to the eventual winner, Daniil Medvedev. Dimitrov is now 12-8 for the year and 4-2 on the clay after beating Stan Wawrinka in the first round (6-4, 7-6). While Dimitrov does have a very poor overall record against Djokovic, winning just one of their 11 previous meetings. They have only met twice on the clay, both times were over a decade ago. Dimitrov won the first of those two clay court matches and will hope that he can do something similar here with his opponent not being at his best at the moment.