Dušan Lajović vs Thanasi Kokkinakis Prediction & Betting Tips - Adelaide International

Prediction published on 07/01/2024, 08:59  by Daniel Ngulu | Modified on 07/01/2024 at 21:15 in Tennis Predictions

Dusan Lajovic begins his season in Adelaide and will battle fellow unseeded player Thanasi Kokkinakis in the first round. Winning this tie will set up a second-round showdown with either Alexei Popyrin or Jiri Lehecka for the victor. Dusan Lajovic has defeated Kokkinakis in all three times they have squared off. Despite it being nine years since they last went toe to toe, the Serbian will arrive for this match confident of a win. Lajovic compiled a 30-28 record last season and won one title. His triumph in Banja Luka was only the second time he had won a tour title and came four years after his first. The world number 52 isn’t a strong performer on hard courts. He has finished with a losing record on the surface in three of the last five seasons.

Thanasi Kokkinakis is a far better player on hard courts as compared to Lajovic. In his career, he has compiled a 166-93 record on the surface. Last season he registered 31 of his total 40 wins on hard courts. This coupled with the desire to claim his first-ever win over Lajovic should have him fancying his chances here. The Australian did however have a disappointing start to the season as he was bundled out in Brisbane in the first round. Kokkinakis has made at least the semifinals in the three times he has played in Adelaide and won the title in 2022. He is currently down three places to 68th in the live ranking.