Banja Luka 2023: Griekspoor vs Popyrin Tennis Prediction and Pick

TennisSection previews the 2023 Banja Luka Open first-round match featuring Tallon Griekspoor vs Alexei Popyrin on Monday, April 17, 2023.

Griekspoor vs Popyrin Match Preview and Prediction

Tallon Griekspoor and Alexei Popyrin look to return to winning ways at the 2023 Banja Luka Open. But only one of them is guaranteed to do so on Monday. Who will prevail?

Tallon Griekspoor has started his clay-court swing with two defeats in three matches. Given his prowess on the surface and high ranking, it is a little mystifying he wasn’t able to record wins in matches he was slated as the odds-on favorite. He’ll look to put things right at the Banja Luka Open where he faces big-serving Aussie Alexei Popyrin.

Alexei Popyrin, meanwhile, reached the second round in Monte Carlo in his most recent tournament, doing so as a qualifier. He won that crazy qualifying match against Benoit Paire from the dead and went on to defeat Dusan Lajovic. He gave Nicolas Jarry a scare, taking a set from the Chilean, but lost in three sets. His efforts at the Principality should give a huge dose of confidence that he might upset Tallon Griekspoor at the Banja Luka Open.

Griekspoor vs Popyrin Prediction and Pick

Tallon Griekspoor leads Alexei Popyrin 1-0 in their head-to-head. That was a hard-court meeting in Melbourne last year which the Dutchman won in three sets. Popyrin is serving a lot better than Griekspoor in recent weeks. It is slightly surprising considering that Griekspoor is the more accomplished clay courter of the two, but his adaptability to the surface is taking longer than he envisaged. The Dutchman tends to be a slow starter when the clay season rolls around, but one or two tournaments in, he is able to figure out his game plan. I expect him to turn the tide at the Banja Luka Open, but Popyrin will certainly push him all the way until the final point.