🎾 ATP Munich: Lehecka vs Darderi

🎾 ATP Munich: Lehecka vs Darderi – Match Preview

🧠 Form & Context

🇨🇿 Jiri Lehecka

• 2025 Record: 14–7 overall
• Recent Form: 5 losses in last 6 matches
• Monte Carlo: Lost in R1 to Musetti after winning the first set
• Clay Opening: Missed most of 2024’s clay swing — chance to gain points
• Style: Aggressive first-strike game, compact swing, favors faster surfaces

🇮🇹 Luciano Darderi

• Clay Wins in 2024: 37 victories on the surface
• 2025 Highlights: Challenger title in Marrakech, finalist in Napoli
• Recent Momentum: Back in form after early-season ATP struggles
• Style: Heavy spin, consistent depth, thrives in long rallies
• Surface Edge: Natural dirt-baller with excellent point construction

🔍 Match Breakdown

This match is a pure style clash: Lehecka's firepower vs Darderi's clay-craft. Munich's quicker-than-average clay may give Lehecka a boost, allowing him to shorten points and dictate with his serve and forehand.

Darderi enters in superior form and will look to frustrate the Czech with depth and variety. The Italian has shown he can close out matches on this surface with composure—but he may struggle if Lehecka is landing first strikes consistently.

🔮 Prediction

Pick: Lehecka to edge it in three sets

Darderi’s form makes him a serious threat, but Lehecka’s need for a bounce-back and the conditions in Munich might finally help unlock a much-needed win.

🎾 ATP Munich: Gojo vs Shelton

🎾 ATP Munich: Gojo vs Shelton – Match Preview

🧠 Form & Context

🇭🇷 Borna Gojo

• 2025 Record: 6–0 overall (includes qualifying wins)
• Career Clay Record: 119–74
• Recent Wins: Defeated Masur and Shevchenko in Munich qualifying
• Ranking Status: Currently outside Top 400 due to inactivity; peaked inside Top 75
• Strengths: Big serve, heavy forehand, clay familiarity

🇺🇸 Ben Shelton

• 2025 Record: 10–6 overall, 0–1 on clay
• Career Clay Record: 8–14
• Recent Clay Losses: Davidovich Fokina (Monte Carlo), Alcaraz (Madrid 2024)
• Surface Challenge: Still adapting to point construction and defensive movement on clay
• Strengths: Explosive serve, lefty angles, aggressive baseline play

🔍 Match Breakdown

This is a classic clash of raw power vs clay-court rhythm. Gojo has the edge in surface comfort and enters with momentum after strong qualifying wins. His clay instincts and point construction skills are more refined than Shelton’s, especially on slower courts like Munich’s.

Shelton will need to keep points short and dominate with first-serve accuracy. If rallies extend and Gojo controls the tempo with depth and angles, the American could struggle to find traction.

🔮 Prediction

Pick: Upset Alert – Gojo to win in 3 sets

Shelton is still dangerous, but Gojo’s clay experience, rhythm, and confidence make him a very live underdog in this first-round clash.

🎾 ATP Munich: Harris vs Goffin

🎾 ATP Munich: Harris vs Goffin – Match Preview

🧠 Form & Context

🇬🇧 Billy Harris

• 2025 Record: 18–17 overall, 1–3 on clay
• Career Clay Record: 154–99 (mostly at ITF/Challenger level)
• Recent Form: Defeated Vukic and Tseng in three sets in Munich
• Clay Struggles: Just 6–8 on clay in 2023, 10–9 in 2024
• Strengths: Big serve, attacking mindset, recent match rhythm

🇧🇪 David Goffin

• 2025 Record: 6–10 overall, 1–2 on clay
• Career Clay Record: 112–74
• Munich History: Quarterfinalist in 2015 and 2016
• H2H vs Harris: Leads 1–0 (2024 Australian Open)
• Strengths: Clay court experience, backhand precision, court coverage

🔍 Match Breakdown

Goffin is clearly more at home on clay and brings far more tactical variety to the table. While his best years are behind him, the Belgian still has the patience and consistency to outlast players like Harris on slow surfaces.

Harris has battled hard through two matches already and will hope to ride that momentum. But unless he controls points early and finishes quickly, Goffin’s ability to absorb pace and counter-punch could wear him down over time.

🔮 Prediction

Pick: Goffin in 3 sets

Harris is playing well and has shown resilience, but Goffin’s clay court comfort and tactical edge should ultimately prove too much in longer rallies.