Belgrade Open 2021: Novak Djokovic vs Federico Coria preview, head-to-head & prediction
Match details
Fixture: (1) Novak Djokovic vs Federico Coria
Date: 27 May 2021
Tournament: Belgrade Open 2021
Round: Quarterfinals
Venue: Belgrade, Serbia
Category: ATP 250
Surface: Red Clay
Prize money: €511,000
Live telecast: USA - Tennis Channel
Novak Djokovic vs Federico Coria preview
Continuing his hunt for his first claycourt title of the year, Novak Djokovic will take on Argentina's Federico Coria in the quarterfinals of the Belgrade Open on Thursday.
Djokovic lost early at Monte Carlo and the Serbia Open before putting together an excellent run at the Italian Open, where he finished as the runner-up to Rafael Nadal. The Serb defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas and local favorite Lorenzo Sonego in back-to-back thrillers on the same day in Rome, before pushing Nadal to the limit in the summit clash.
This week in Belgrade, Djokovic has opened his campaign with a 6-2, 7-6(4) win over lucky loser Mats Moraing. But although the 34-year-old managed to come through in straight sets, he often cut a frustrated figure on the court - and was even handed a point penalty in the second set for smashing his racket.
His quarterfinal opponent, Federico Coria, has had mixed results on clay this season.
Coria reached the semifinals in Cordoba earlier this year, but then suffered a dip in form; the Argentine managed just two tour-level wins on the surface heading into the Belgrade Open.
But Coria seems to have hit his stride in the Serbian capital. He survived a three-set battle with local teenager Marko Topo in the first round, before cruising past Pablo Cuevas to reach the last eight.
Novak Djokovic vs Federico Coria head-to-head
The quarterfinal encounter in Belgrade is the first professional meeting between Novak Djokovic and Federico Coria, so their head-to-head currently stands at 0-0.
Novak Djokovic vs Federico Coria prediction
Novak Djokovic is the overwhelming favorite for this match. The Serb has well and truly recovered from his slump at the start of the claycourt season, and is now close to firing on all cylinders.
In his second-round match against Moraing, Djokovic was solid from the baseline for the most part. It was only an uncharacteristic lapse in concentration in the second set that allowed the German to force a tiebreak.
That is something the Serb will not want to make a habit of as he fine-tunes his game ahead of Roland Garros.
Coria, on his part, will need to produce an inspired performance if he is to challenge Djokovic. The Argentine is a great mover on clay, and will look to use his inside-out forehand to do some damage.
However, Coria doesn't have the biggest of serves, and that will likely prove problematic against Djokovic - who is widely regarded as the greatest returner of all time.
There is a considerable gulf in quality between the two players, and Djokovic should have little trouble seeing off Coria's challenge.
Prediction: Novak Djokovic to win in straight sets.