Kovacevic has a lot on the line!

A finalist last year, the American is on a mission to try to do just as well, and he’s a seeded player!

With his good start to the year, Kovacevic has become a seeded player in this kind of tournament and of course that opens up the draw a bit for him (or at least it makes defending his points less complicated). His first round is manageable, as is the second, and then he could potentially meet Griekspoor in the quarters, the least in-form seed in the draw. He’s got a little star over his head in Montpellier, Kova!

To go all the way with this, his first-round opponent McDonald has just retired in a Challenger, he might withdraw and then a LL would take his place. I don’t want to dwell too much on this analysis because of that risk, but if McDonald plays and he’s at 100%, then it will be a tough match for Kova to handle; playing another American isn’t easy and historically they’ve had some great battles. I’d say the one who has the edge in the match-up is mainly the one who’s more confident. McDo’s counterpunching game can work really well if he’s feeling good, and Kova’s offensive game is too strong indoors for McDo if he’s in form. The confidence and momentum are on Kovacevic’s side even if he’s just lost in a Challenger; his main goal was really to prepare for this tournament and in my opinion he’ll be hard to beat again this week! His game is naturally better indoors and his focus is particularly high this week, it should go through, right?