Marin Cilic vs Jiri Lehecka – Breakdown and Prediction

November 5, 2024

Marin Cilic vs Jiri Lehecka: ATP Belgrade – round of 16

Marin Cilic will take on Jiri Lehecka in the round of 16 of the ATP Belgrade.

Marin Cilic Profile

Former world No. 3 Marin Cilic is currently 196th in the ATP rankings. The Croat is 10-10 for the season and 1-2 in indoor matches.

Cilic is coming off a 7-6, 6-3 win over Alexnadre Muller in the opening round in Belgrade.

His best result this season was winning the title in Hangzhou.

This is his first appearance in Belgrade.

Jiri Lehecka Profile

Jiri Lehecka is 31st in the ATP rankings, while his career high was No. 23 in the world. The player from the Czech Republic is 28-18 for the season and 5-5 in indoor matches.

Lehecka is coming off a 7-5, 6-2 loss to Jack Draper in the first round in Paris.

Lehecka won his first career ATP title in Adelaide this season.

This is his second appearance in Belgrade after losing to Andrey Rublev in the round of 16 in 2022.

Head-to-Head

This will be the first match between Marin Cilic and Jiri Lehecka.

Prediction and Conclusion

Marin Cilic is back on the tour after missing more than a year with injury. The win in the first match in Belgrade was his first after four consecutive losses. Jiri Lehecka also had some injury issues but got back quickly. He is 13 years younger than Cilic, which definitely gives him some advantage. Cilic is still very strong from the baseline, but Lehecka moves way better, and that will make all the difference. Cilic may hold in the opening set, but Lehecka will win this one by covering the -3.5-game spread.