Indian Wells 2022: Matteo Berrettini vs Miomir Kecmanovic preview, head-to-head and prediction | BNP Paribas Open
Match Details
Fixture: (6) Matteo Berrettini vs Miomir Kecmanovic.
Date: 16 March 2022.
Tournament: BNP Paribas Open.
Round: Fourth round (Round of 16).
Venue: Indian Wells, California, USA.
Category: ATP Masters 1000.
Surface: Hardcourt.
Prize money: $8,584,055.
Live telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Amazon Prime Video | India - Voot.
Matteo Berrettini vs Miomir Kecmanovic preview
Sixth seed Matteo Berrettini will take on Miomir Kecmanovic in the fourth round of the Indian Wells Masters on Thursday.
The Italian did not have the best of starts to 2022 as he won just one of his three singles matches in the ATP Cup. Berrettini followed this up with a run to the semifinals of the Australian Open. The 25-year-old was beaten by eventual champion Rafael Nadal in four sets.
He then entered the Rio Open as the top seed and reached the quarterfinals after beating Thiago Monteiro. However, he lost to eventual champion Carlos Alcaraz in three sets.
Berrettini then competed in the Mexican Open as the fifth seed but was forced to retire in his first-round match against Tommy Paul due to an abdominal injury.
The Italian entered the Indian Wells Masters as the sixth seed and started with a hard-fought win over Denmark's Holger Rune. He then beat 30th seed Lloyd Harris 6-4, 7-5 to reach the last 16 of the competition.
Purple Reign!
First of all, is Matteo Berrettini coming for Rafa's "Professor Plum" gig with this kit? Aubergine kings!
Anyway, the Italian will have to be happy with his fight today, coming back from a break down in the 2nd set to bundle out Lloyd Harris in straights, 6-4, 7-5 https://t.co/aSpsygelvE
Meanwhile, Kecmanovic started 2022 with a second-round exit at the Sydney International. He followed this up with his best run at a Grand Slam, reaching the fourth round of the Australian Open before losing to Gael Monfils in straight sets.
Kecmanovic then made it to the second round of the Argentina Open after beating compatriot Laslo Djere. However, the Serb was beaten by Francisco Cerundolo.
The 22-year-old then qualified for the main draw of the Rio Open and reached the quarterfinals following wins over Felipe Meligeni Alves and Lorenzo Sonego. He lost to Cerundolo in the last eight despite being up by a set.
Kecmanovic had another quarter-final run at the Chile Open, where he lost to Alejandro Tabilo.
The Serb reached the second round of the Indian Wells Masters by beating Liam Broady in three sets. He then shocked 24th seed Marin Cilic after being a set down, before beating Botic van de Zandschulp 7-6(3), 7-5 to reach the last 16 of the competition.
Nice start to 2022 for Serbia's Miomir Kecmanovic, reaching the fourth round of the Australian Open and now the fourth round of Indian Wells.
Beat Botic van de Zandschulp 7-6(3), 7-5.
Faces Matteo Berrettini tomorrow.
Matteo Berrettini vs Miomir Kecmanovic head-to-head
Thursday's match at Indian Wells will be the very first meeting between Matteo Berrettini and Miomir Kecmanovic, so the head-to-head stands at 0-0 for now.
The winner will play either Taylor Fritz or Alex de Minaur in the quarterfinals of the Indian Wells Masters.
Matteo Berrettini vs Miomir Kecmanovic prediction
Berrettini will be the overwhelming favorite to win the match because of his quality and experience. However, Kecmanovic should not be written off given his recent form.
Berrettini is among the best servers on the tour and he will no doubt look to make the most of that shot and his powerful forehand. Kecmanovic will need to find a way to cope with the Italian's aggression.
The Serb has solid groundstrokes and will rely heavily on his backhand to do most of the damage against the Italian. He should also look to direct most of the traffic to Berrettini's backhand, which is by far the Italian's weaker wing.
However, Berrettini should have enough firepower to douse the challenge of the Serb and seal his place in the quarterfinals.
Prediction: Matteo Berrettini to win in straight sets.
Also Check Out: Indian Wells Masters 2022 Schedule