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Czechia star Jiri Lehecka makes his much-awaited return to action after a stress fracture and he faces Mariano Navone in the first round in Cincinnati
RANKING POINTS: ATP 1000
START DATE/TIME: Tuesday 13th August, 2024, UK – not before 5:20pm / US ET – not before 12:20pm / US PT – not before 9:20am
VENUE: Lindner Family Tennis Center, Ohio, USA
SURFACE: Outdoor hard
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 Jiri Lehecka vs Mariano Navone ticket information
JIRI LEHECKA VS MARIANO NAVONE PREDICTION
Jiri Lehecka returns to action following several months on the sidelines with a stress fracture in his back and the Czech talent will be keen to pick up where he left off. It was in the French Open that Lehecka was forced to withdraw due to the injury and this is his first action back after he had to admit defeat in his race to make it for the Olympics.
Prior to his injury, Lehecka was enjoying a fantastic run and it was heart-breaking to see the 22-year-old having to withdraw in the semi-finals of Roland Garros. He does enjoy playing on hard courts and he made it to the quarter-finals at Indian Wells and at the Australian Open in 2023.
So much will depend on just how quickly he can hit the ground running and he faces Argentine Mariano Navone. The 23-year-old is a clay court specialist and has saved his best performances for that surface. He will be eager to put in a good showing but it is hard to have much confidence in him here.
Assuming Lehecka is sharp enough, he should have too much for Navone here. It is the perfect draw for him in so many ways and he should progress.
JIRI LEHECKA VS MARIANO NAVONE TIP: JIRI LEHECKA TO WIN