Banja Luka: Novak Djokovic vs Dusan Lajovic Tennis Prediction

TennisSection previews the 2023 Banja Luka Open quarterfinal match featuring Novak Djokovic vs Dusan Lajovic on Friday, April 21, 2023.

Djokovic vs Lajovic Match Preview and Prediction

Top seed Novak Djokovic will play Dusan Lajovic in an all-Serbian quarterfinal clash at the Banja Luka Open. Who will prevail?

Novak Djokovic survived a huge scare in his opening match at the Banja Luka Open, coming from a set down and a break down at the start of the third set to defeat French young gun Luca Van Assche. Djokovic admitted he couldn’t penetrate through the court, calling it ”the slowest court he has ever played in”, but still found his rhythm to prevent the upset from happening. He’ll now face fellow Serbian Dusan Lajovic for a spot in the semifinal.

Dusan Lajovic, for his part, picked up his 12th win on clay this year. He demolished France’s Gregoire Barrere 6-3, 6-0 to advance into his third quarterfinal of the season. Lajovic has never beaten countryman Novak Djokovic in the past, but senses the top seed may be vulnerable playing with a strapped arm and struggling to find his range on the dirt.

Djokovic vs Lajovic Prediction and Pick

Novak Djokovic leads Dusan Lajovic 2-0 in their head-to-head, dropping a combined four games in those matches. Lajovic, however, is playing very well on clay this year and may well fancy his chances if Djokovic takes time to find his bearings. Djokovic was very frank while assessing his performance and the courts in Banja Luka are the trickiest he’s played in. But it is an important event for him, and he’ll eventually find a way to wear down Lajovic.