'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Match details
Fixture: Marin Cilic vs Jonas Forejtek
Date: 9 November 2020
Tournament: Sofia Open 2020
Round: First round (Round of 32)
Venue: Sofia, Bulgaria
Category: ATP 250 Series
Surface: Indoor hardcourt
Prize money: €325,615
Match timing: Approx. 8 pm local time, 11.30 pm
Live telecast: USA - ESPN / Tennis Channel
Marin Cilic vs Jonas Forejtek preview
Former US Open champion Marin Cilic will open his campaign in Sofia against wild-card entrant Jonas Forejtek in the first round.
While the 2020 Sofia Open is the penultimate tournament of the season, it will be the last one on Cilic's calendar as he has not made the cut for the season-ending Nitto ATP Finals.
The Croat will fancy his chances at Sofia given that there aren’t many big names in the fray. That said, his form since the resumption of the tour has left a lot to be desired.
Cilic has been poor right from the Cincinnati Masters, where he lost in the opening round. The eighth seed hasn’t progressed beyond the third round at any of the seven tournaments he has taken part in.
Cilic did, however, put in a decent performance at the Paris Masters last week, where he beat rising star Felix Auger-Aliassime in three sets. The 32-year-old will also take confidence from the fact that he ran another young gun - Ugo Humbert - close, before falling in three sets.
Up next for Cilic is 2019 US Open junior champion Jonas Forejtek, who will be making his ATP Tour debut in Sofia.
The 19-year-old is considered one of the most promising youngsters right now, having done well on the junior circuit. In addition to his US Open title, Forejtek has also triumphed in doubles at the Australian Open and Wimbledon - both in 2019.
Forejtek was once the No. 1 ranked junior player in the world, and seems ready to make the transition to the ATP tour.
Marin Cilic vs Jonas Forejtek head-to-head
Given that Jonas Forejtek will be making his ATP tour debut against Marin Cilic on Monday, their head-to-head currently stands at 0-0.
Marin Cilic vs Jonas Forejtek prediction
There is no doubt that the difference in pedigree of the two players is quite stark. However, Jonas Forejtek does have the talent to do well among the senior pros.
A debut against a champion like Marin Cilic is a great opportunity for the youngster. With nothing to lose, Forejtek could swing from the hips and put into practice everything he has learned in the juniors.
That said, Cilic's experience and recent form could prove to be difficult to overcome for the teenager. All things considered, Forejtek might be in for a rollercoaster in the first round at Sofia.
Prediction: Marin Cilic to win in three sets.
