Serbia

Novak Djokovic

Switzerland

Stanislas Wawrinka

World number one will have no problems in his match against the Swiss

After Djokovic's failure 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 to Jiri Vesela in Dubai, crushed Alejandro Davidovic-Fokina in Monte Carlo and lost to Carlos Alcaraz at the Madrid Masters. In 2021 Djokovic reached the final in Rome, where he was defeated by Rafael Nadal 5-7, 6-1, 3-6. In the current tournament in the Italian capital the Serb began with a heavy 6-3, 6-2 victory over Russia's Aslan Karatsev. Wawrinka has not played since March 2021 because of a foot injury. For the first time this season he played at the Challenger in Marbella, where he predictably lost to Elias Imer (2-6, 4-6). Then he suffered a setback against Kazakhstan's Alexandr Bublik at the Monte Carlo Masters (6-3, 5-7, 2-6). However, in Rome so far Stan is doing well. The Swiss has already achieved two victories. In the first round he beat American Reilly Opelka (3:6, 7:5, 6:2), then overcame Serbian Laszlo Dyer (7:6, 3:6, 6:4) in the second round. Will Wawrinka be able to sensationalise his encounter with the world number one? It's unlikely. Djokovic is slowly gaining his best form. He will try to defend his last year's final in Rome. In head-to-head encounters with Stan, Novak is 22-6. The numbers speak for themselves. Wawrinka is back on track after an injury and is just getting back into his rhythm. The Swiss needs time to get at least close to his former form. The bookies see Djokovic as a clear favourite. And quite rightly so. Novak will not prolong the meeting and will try to save his strength. The Serb will most likely score at least one break in each set and will quietly take on his opponent in two games. You can bet that the match will not be played more than 19 games.