Novak Djokovic vs Andrey Golubev Prediction

Novak Djokovic, currently 2^nd in ATP list is playing against Andrey Golubev, currently 55^th in the rankings in Wimbledon’s first round match.

Djokovic didn’t play any grass court matches after his loss in the Roland Garros final to Rafael Nadal, but he has been training at Wimbledon for the past few days, so it shouldn’t be a problem for him to adapt to the new surface. Andrey Golubev played at Eastbourne, but lost in the first round to Bernard Tomic in straight sets.

Golubev hasn’t won a match for more than a month, when he beat Verdasco in Rome’s first round. He managed to win a set against Murray in Roland Garros, but he clearly wasn’t in his best shape, and he probably isn’t at his peak of his form here either.

On the other hand, Djokovic survived a huge disappointment at Roland Garros, the only Grand Slam he hasn’t won yet, and it is unclear how he will cope in London.

Additionally, he will get married to his girlfriend Jelena Ristic who is pregnant, he had a bachelor party prior to this Wimbledon, and it seems that other things are on his mind, apart from tennis.

He had some problems with his elbow - an old injury which apparently hasn’t healed properly, so it is really a mystery to predict how he’ll fare.

Djokovic told the press that he was ready, so we will have to trust him.

Considering the quality of tennis alone, Djokovic shouldn’t encounter any problems in cruising to an easy victory against the Kazakh – they played three times, and Djokovic won all those matches.

Golubev cannot brag of a reliable serve nor backhand, and the players who can’t fall to Djokovic very easily. If he isn’t at his maximum level, the Kazakh should be better off hoping for a miracle, as he will likely just battle to avoid a heavy defeat.

Djokovic’s return could be the key for solving this match in a blink of an eye, and it will be down to Novak’s focus and sharpness, which he loses sometimes in the past months.

Head to head

Djokovic leads by3-0; all matches were played on hard courts. Golubev managed to get a set from their first match which was played at the Hopman Cup in 2011.

Prediction

Djokovic should win this match in straight sets.