Daniil Medvedev vs. Miomir Kecmanovic Prediction: Medvedev Could be in for a Tussle

On Wednesday, January 4, world number seven Daniil Medvedev will face 29th-ranked Miomir Kecmanovic in the second round of the 2023 Adelaide International.

Medvedev had already gained a one-set lead in his first round match and was 2-1 up in the second when his opponent, Lorenzo Sonego, resigned due to a right arm injury.

Medvedev would have hoped for a solid start here after not playing well the previous season after reaching the Australian Open final in 2022. Especially because a potential quarterfinal versus Djokovic appears to be on the horizon.

The Russian, on the other hand, squandered three break-points in the first set, forcing himself to save nine of them - all of them as set-points - to force a tie-breaker.

At 5-5 in the tie-breaker, it might have gone any way, but after squandering his initial set-point, Medvedev took the lead off the second.

Medvedev lost service in the first game of the second set before even things up with a break in the second. But, just as the match was about to become a ripper, Sonego was forced to withdraw.

Medvedev will need to do far better in his next encounter.

Kecmanovic needed only 1 hour and 35 minutes to beat Christopher O'Connell 6-4, 6-4 and advance to the second round.

Kecmanovic got just two break points in the first set and converted one of them while saving the only one he faced on his own serve.

Both players exchanged breaks in the opening four games of the second set, but Kecmanovic took the crucial break in the ninth. He saved another break-point in the next game to advance to the second round.

Kecmanovic, who has never won a set against Medvedev, will need to get all of his bearings straight.

Given that Medvedev isn't at his best, the Serb could offer himself a slim opportunity.

Despite being out of form, Medvedev will be a huge favorite. Expect him to win, but also expect him to lose a few games - at least 20-21.