Vienna 2020: Dusan Lajovic vs Lorenzo Sonego preview, head-to-head & prediction | Erste Bank Open

Match details

Fixture: Dusan Lajovic vs Lorenzo Sonego*

Date: 27 October 2020

Tournament: Erste Bank Open 2020

Round: First round (Round of 32)

Venue: Vienna, Austria

Category: ATP 500

Surface: Indoor hardcourt

Prize money: €1,409,510

Match timing: Approx. 6 pm local time, 10.30 pm IST

Live telecast: USA - ESPN / Tennis Channel | India - Sony ESPN

*Note: An earlier version of this article stated that Dusan Lajovic would be playing Diego Schwartzman in the first round. However, Schwartzman has now withdrawn from the tournament and has been replaced by Lorenzo Sonego in the draw.

Dusan Lajovic vs Lorenzo Sonego preview

World No. 26 Dusan Lajovic will begin his 2020 Erste Bank Open campaign against lucky loser Lorenzo Sonego.

The Serb was initially slated to face Diego Schwartzman in his opening round fixture. But the Argentine pulled out in the last minute, giving Sonego an entry into the main draw.

Lajovic and Sonego are both claycourt specialists who don't particularly enjoy playing on quicker surfaces. As such, it would be interesting to see how the two strategize against one another.

Lorenzo Sonego

Sonego is playing his first indoor tournament of the European swing this week. Two weeks ago the Italian took part in the Forte Village Sardegna Open - which was played on clay - where he was ousted in the second round.

At the French Open, Sonego managed to stage his best-ever Grand Slam result by making the fourth round for the first time.

Much like Sonego, Lajovic played some of his best tennis in the clay-court swing. The Serb reached the last 16 in Rome and the quarterfinals in Hamburg before suffering a second-round exit at the French Open.

Lajovic also took part in the European Open in Antwerp but was knocked out in the first round by Frances Tiafoe. Nevertheless, that still gives the Serb an advantage over Sonego in terms of indoor match practice.

Dusan Lajovic vs Lorenzo Sonego head-to-head

The head-to-head between Dusan Lajovic and Lorenzo Sonego is currently tied at 1-1. Both of their encounters have been on clay so far.

Dusan Lajovic vs Lorenzo Sonego prediction

Dusan Lajovic

It is no secret that Dusan Lajovic and Lorenzo Sonego both struggle on faster courts. However, the Serb comes in with a lot more experience, even if he's not in his best hardcourt form right now.

The angles created by Lajovic on his one-handed backhand would be key in his match against the Italian. The Serb also has a reliable serve that could give him the upper hand against Sonego.

The Italian on the other hand will rely on his consistency and solid footwork to try and assert himself during the rallies.

All things considered, Lajovic's experience might just tilt the tie in his favor in what should be a tightly fought encounter.

Prediction: Dusan Lajovic to win in three sets.