Cologne 1: Filip Krajinovic vs Steve Johnson preview, head-to-head & prediction | Bett1Hulks Indoors 2020

Match details

Fixture: (5) Filip Krajinovic vs. Steve Johnson

Date: 12 October 2020

Tournament: Cologne 1

Round: First round (Round of 32)

Venue: Cologne, Germany

Category: ATP 250 Series.

Surface: Indoor Hard Court

Prize money: €325,610

Match timing: Approx. 6 pm CEST, 9.30 pm IST

Live telecast: USA - ESPN / Tennis Channel

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Filip Krajinovic vs Steve Johnson preview

After losing to compatriot Nikola Milojevic in the first round of Roland Garros 2020, Serbian star Filip Krajinovic will look to get back to winning ways when he locks horns with Steve Johnson in the Cologne 1 tourney.

The World No. 29 has a decent win-loss record of 16-8 in the 2020 season. He had made it to the Cincinnati Masters quarterfinals a couple of months ago, recording a 6-2, 6-1 win over Dominic Thiem in the process. Krajinovic looked in good touch at the US Open 2020 too, but he could not get past David Goffin in the third round.

The Sombor-based player began his clay season with a straight-sets win over Felix Auger-Aliassime in Rome. However, he crashed out of the French Open in the opening round.

Steve Johnson, meanwhile, had defeated compatriot John Isner in the first round of the US Open before Ricardas Berkanis ended his campaign in the subsequent match.

Steve Johnson will have to bring his 'A' game to the table

At Roland Garros 2020, Johnson could only win two games in his straight-sets defeat at the hands of Roberto Carballes Baena. His performances have not been too convincing of late, and the American will have to play his best tennis to beat Krajinovic in Germany.

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Filip Krajinovic vs Steve Johnson head-to-head

Steve Johnson leads Filip Krajinovic 1-0 in the head-to-head record. He had beaten the Serb in straight sets at the 2015 Memphis Open.

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Filip Krajinovic vs Steve Johnson prediction

Filip Krajinovic should win this match

Even though Filip Krajinovic has never defeated Steve Johnson, he should be expected to better his American rival in the Cologne 1 tournament. The Serb has played some sensational tennis since the start of the COVID-19 break. He has defeated both Novak Djokovic (Adria Tour) and Dominic Thiem (Cincinnati Masters) this year.

Krajinovic has a decent serve, but it is his return that might prove too hot to handle for Steve Johnson - who only had a 29% win rate on the second serve in his last match. The 30-year-old from the USA is unlikely to trouble Krajinovic much given his recent form.

Prediction: Filip Krajinovic to win in straight sets.