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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
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.
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.
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.
Filip Krajinovic vs Steve Johnson prediction
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.
