Yoshihito Nishioka vs Dusan Lajovic Preview & Prediction | 2025 Italian Open | First Round

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Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka takes on Dusan Lajovic of Serbia in the first-round of the Italian Open.

Ranking points: ATP 1000

Start date/time: Wednesday 7th May, 2025: UK – not before 12:20pm / US ET – not before 7:20am / US PT – not before 4:20am

Venue: Foro Italico, Rome, Italy

Surface: Outdoor clay

How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports Tennis / US – Tennis Channel

How to watch online: UK – Sky Go / US – Tennis Channel

Tickets: Visit this link for the latest Yoshihito Nishioka vs Dusan Lajovic ticket information

Yoshihito Nishioka vs Dusan Lajovic prediction

Yoshihito Nishioka finally gets his clay court season underway at the Italian Open. There have been major concerns over the fitness of the Japanese player, who has had to retire from three matches already this season. He did reach the quarter-finals of the Dallas Open at the beginning of February, defeating Frances Tiafoe on the way, but then retired in the second set against Casper Ruud.

Subsequent withdrawals at the Delray Beach Open and Miami lead to a sense of the unknown in terms of Nishioka’s overall fitness levels ahead of this tournament. Dusan Lajovic will be hoping to capitalise, with the qualifier making his way into the main draw after a fine three set win over Cameron Norrie.

His recent form is less inspiring, with his best result of the clay season being a semi-final appearance at the Girona Challenger towards the end of March. 

Nishioka is simply not worth the risk considering his withdrawals this season, which leads to us favouring Lajovic on this occasion.

Yoshihito Nishioka vs Dusan Lajovic tip: Dusan Lajovic to win