Argentina Open: Fognini vs Djere Tennis Prediction & Pick

TennisSection previews the 2023 Argentina Open as Fabio Fognini takes on Laslo Djere in the first round on Monday, February 13, 2023.

Fabio Fognini is looking to win his first match of the season, but the Italian veteran faces a complicated opener at the Argentina Open, being drawn against Serbia’s Laslo Djere. Who will prevail?

Fabio Fognini has only played two matches this season and lost them both. In Auckland, he lost to Jenson Brooksby in a high-tempered first round in three sets. The 35-year-old then mustered just five games in a straight sets demolition at the hands of Thanasi Kokkinakis at the Australian Open. Fognini doesn’t usually play his best tennis at this time of the year despite his preference for clay. Although he has won the Sao Paulo Open in March five years ago. Can he get his first W at the Argentina Open when he takes on Laslo Djere?

Laslo Djere, by contrast, is 5-3 for the season. Djere, like Fognini, will play on clay for the first time in 2023. He was involved in Serbia’s progress at the Davis Cup Finals as they beat Norway in the qualifiers at the start of February. Djere has won two ATP titles in his career, most notably the Rio Open in 2019. He will be looking to better his recent showing at the Argentina Open where he lost in the first round in 2022 to countryman Miomir Kecmanovic.

Fabio Fognini and Laslo Djere are tied at 1-1 in their head-to-head. Djere won their only meeting on clay in Geneva two years ago before Fognini exacted revenge at Wimbledon. Even at 35, it is hard to count out Fognini on clay and particularly at the Argentina Open where he is a former finalist. However, it’s been a tough couple of years for the Italian veteran who has had a major career decline. Djere will likely win this match.