Novak Djokovic vs. Denis Shapovalov 2/2/21 - ATP Cup Tennis Picks & Predictions
Last Updated: 01/28/2021 at 10:09 AM ET
The ATP Cup means that tennis is returning and the 2021 season will finally take its full form as the players prepare for the Australian Open. Novak Djokovic is set to play at the ATP Cup as he starts his tournament against Denis Shapovalov from Canada.
Novak Djokovic has always played well in Australia with the Serbian superstar’s record showing 8 Australian Open titles. Djokovic currently holds the Australian Open title and Team Serbia currently holds the ATP Cup so the top seed looks good as he enters this match. Novak Djokovic is yet to play in the 2021 season but the Serbian superstar had a strong 2020 season and has a good record in Australia so he is looking very well placed at the start of this tournament.
On the other side of the coin, Denis Shapovalov will look to cause a major upset at the start of the season. Shapovalov is the highest-ranked Canadian player and he will have to perform well if Canada wishes to go deep in this tournament. 2020 was a solid year for Denis Shapovalov as he made the quarterfinals of the US Open and that sort of form will be needed if the Canadian superstar has hopes of upsetting Novak Djokovic in this match.
Novak Djokovic and Denis Shapovalov have played each other 5 times in the past with Shapovalov winning on all 5 occasions. The most recent match between these two players was in 2020 at the ATP Cup where Novak Djokovic won in 3 sets. Djokovic has only lost 2 sets against Shapovalov in the 5 matches.
Taking everything into consideration, I am going to pick Novak Djokovic to win this match. Neither player has played in 2021 but I see Djokovic having too much experience and skill to lose this early in the season. There is a big gap in skill between the two players so I am going to pick Novak Djokovic to win this match in straight sets.
