Serbia

Novak Djokovic

Poland

Hubert Hurkacz

The Pole will cause problems for the world number one at the start of the match

After Djokovic failed to play at the Australian Open 2022, the tennis player's game began to decline. This season, Novak has yet to win a single tournament. He lost in Dubai to Jiri Vesely and in Monte Carlo to Alejandro Davidovic-Fokine. Many thought Djokovic would finally clinch the title in his native Belgrade. The world number one had serious problems reaching the final, but in the decisive match Novak unexpectedly lost to Andrey Rublev of Russia (2-6, 7-6, 0-6). Djokovic has played only one match so far at the Masters in Madrid. Novak missed the first round, in the second round he defeated Gael Monfils (6-2, 6-3). In the third round, the world number one was to face Andy Murray, but the Brit withdrew. Hurkac has been playing well at all the Masters this season. In Miami Hubert reached the semi-finals, before reaching the quarter-finals at the recent Monte Carlo tournament. The Pole started the tournament in the Spanish capital with a convincing victory over Hugo Dellien (7-5, 6-7, 6-3). Then came an equally tough match against Alejandro Davidovic-Fokina, which Hubert won in three sets (6:4, 4:6, 7:6). In the third round, Hurkac soundly beat Serb Dusan Lajovic 7-5, 6-3. The world number one is clearly not in great shape at the moment. A Djokovic like this can and must be fought. The bookies don't doubt Novak's victory, but it's not that simple. Hurkac will definitely cause problems for the favourite. Hubert can serve well, works well on the backhand. The spectators in the stands will not be bored. An exciting encounter is expected. The Pole will make the world number one tennis player nervous at the start of the match. The forthcoming encounter will not be without intrigue. You have to bet on Hurkac to win the first set with a handicap (+2) game.