🎾 ATP Mallorca – Round 1 Preview Nishesh Basavareddy (102) vs Hamad Medjedović (71)

🎾 ATP Mallorca – Round 1 Preview

Nishesh Basavareddy (102) vs Hamad Medjedović (71)

A crafty qualifier meets a raw power-hitter—expect a clash of tempo, tactics, and temperament on the Mallorcan grass.

🧠 Form & Context

Nishesh Basavareddy
🚀 Breakthrough season: cracked the Top 100 in May, thanks to solid hard-court and Challenger results.
🌿 Arrived through qualifying, beating Van de Zandschulp and Navone—first tour-level grass wins of his career (now 2-1 on the surface).
🔄 Lost their only meeting in the 2024 US Open qualies (tight 3-setter).

Hamad Medjedović
💪 Indoor assassin (11-2 in 2025, Marseille final, SF win over Medvedev).
🤔 Grass still a work-in-progress: 0-1 this swing (fell in Queen’s qualies) and 7-5 career overall.
🎯 First-strike baseliner with a heavy serve-forehand combo; ranking high since Delray Beach run and French Open 3R.

🔍 Match Breakdown

💣 Serve heat: Medjedović’s 210-kph bomb can dominate if first-serve % holds; Basavareddy’s serve is solid but not as imposing.
🏃‍♂️ Movement & defence: The American’s quick feet and counter-punching help in extended rallies—especially on lower-bouncing grass.
🎾 Return patterns: Basavareddy likes taking the ball early on the BH; Medjedović has struggled (54% BP saved in 2025) when rushed.
🔀 Variety factor: Basavareddy uses slices, drop shots and sneak-ins—tools that expose Medjedović’s still-developing footwork on turf.
🧠 Momentum & nerves: Qualifying wins give Basavareddy confidence, but Medjedović owns the big-match pedigree (tour title & Slam R3 already at 21).

🔮 Prediction

Expect quick service holds and bursts of aggressive shot-making. Basavareddy’s variety will trouble Medjedović, yet the Serb’s heavier firepower should pay off in the clutch if he keeps double faults in check.

Prediction: Medjedović in 3 sets

📊 Tale of the Tape

• H2H: Medjedović leads 1-0 (2024 US Open qualies)
• 2025 W/L: Basavareddy 15–9 • Medjedović 14–11
• Grass W/L (2025): Basavareddy 2–1 • Medjedović 0–1
• Best 2025 Result: Basavareddy (Challenger SF, Top 100 debut) • Medjedović (Marseille F, Roland Garros R3)