Banja Luka 2023: Molcan vs Djere Tennis Prediction & Pick

TennisSection previews the 2023 Banja Luka Open quarterfinal match featuring Alex Molcan vs Laslo Djere on Friday, April 21, 2023.

Molcan vs Djere Match Preview and Prediction

Laslo Djere seeks his first semifinal of the season. But unseeded Alex Molcan is in good form this week. Who will prevail at the Banja Luka Open?

Alex Molcan had been out of action for over two weeks. He withdrew from his third-round match in Miami due to a hip injury. But he didn’t have such problems in getting to his first quarterfinal of the season at the 2023 Banja Luka Open. Molcan started his campaign this week with a solid win over Taro Daniel. Then he edged out big-serving Aussie Alexei Popyrin 7-5 in the third. He is a whopping +143 to beat Laslo Djere on Friday. Can the Slovak defy the odds?

Laslo Djere, for his part, has recorded two great wins as the favorite. He opened his Banja Luka Open campaign against Roman Safiullin, putting the Russian to the sword in straight sets. Then he defeated World No. 21 Borna Coric in three sets to pick up his second top-30 win on clay this year. He’ll be looking to reach his first ATP semifinal since Winston-Salem last August.

Molcan vs Djere Prediction and Pick

Alex Molcan and Laslo Djere are tied at 1-1 in their head-to-head. Molcan won their clash on clay in Marrakech last year before Djere avenged that loss in Pune this season. This week, however, Djere has been more impressive in getting to the last eight at the Banja Luka Open, playing with superior consistency from the baseline. The manner in which he defeated Coric is an indication Molcan will struggle to combat the Serbian’s aggression. We’re backing Djere ML.