Novak Djokovic vs Botic Van De Zandschulp Live Stream & Preview - Djokovic not at his best but primed to move forward at Indian Wells

Freetips staff

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Last updated: 08 Mar 2025

Freetips staff 08 Mar 2025

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Djokovic's recent struggles continue due to losses against big servers and fitness concerns.
Despite Djokovic’s issues, Van De Zandschulp isn’t seen as a significant threat.
Betting on Djokovic to cover handicap games recommended, given Zandschulp's record.

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Novak Djokovic tipped to dominate (credit: Getty)

Novak Djokovic vs Botic Van De Zandschulp Preview

Based on Novak Djokovic's current poor form and shaky fitness, it might be the right choice to fade him at such low odds and aim for bigger winnings, provided if a potent underdog crosses his path.

However, since Botic van de Zandschulp doesn’t fit that profile, the smart choice here would be to back Djokovic to cover the handicap games.

Novak Djokovic vs Botic Van De Zandschulp Preview
Novak Djokovic Overview
Novak Djokovic Form
Botic Van De Zandschulp Overview
Botic Van De Zandschulp Form
Head-to-Head

Novak Djokovic Overview

Current Rank: 7
Career-High Rank: 1
ELO Rank: 2
Season Record: 7-3
Tournament Record: 51-10 (Wins in 2008, 2011, 2014-2016)
Masters Record Against Non-Top-50: 93-8
Masters Opening-Round Record: 117-14

Novak Djokovic Form

Novak Djokovic’s career decline, which kicked off in 2024, is still going strong in 2025, with every tournament adding another dent to the hope that he’ll find his way back to his old self.

He’s taken losses to a couple of big servers, Reilly Opelka in Brisbane and Matteo Berrettini in Doha, both in straight sets. And at the Aussie Open, he was forced to retire in the semis due to an injury.

These losses to big servers are a real worry, showing that Djokovic is a fair way off his best. He’s always been solid against this kind of player, so it’s concerning to see him struggling in that department.

His recent troubles at Indian Wells only add to the concern coming into this week. He hasn’t made a quarterfinal appearance there since winning three titles in a row from 2014 to 2016.

Last year, he copped a massive upset in the third round, losing to Luca Nardi, and it was at this venue where he suffered his most recent opening-round Masters defeat to a non-top-50 player, Taro Daniel, back in 2018.

Botic Van De Zandschulp Overview

Current Rank: 85
Career-High Rank: 22
ELO Rank: 85
Season Record: 6-8
Tournament Record: 5-4
Career Record Against Top-10: 7-22
Masters Record Against Top-10: 2-4
R2 Record in Masters: 3-13

Botic Van De Zandschulp Form

Botic van de Zandschulp made the most of his second chance to extend his stay at Indian Wells. After coming in as a lucky loser, he defeated an unfit Nick Kyrgios in the first round.

The Dutchman has been going through a tough phase over the last 20 months or so. Since the start of the 2024 season, he’s only once made it beyond the second round of any tour-level event.

That lone instance came at a high-profile event in the United States. He pulled off a huge upset by beating Carlos Alcaraz to reach the third round at the US Open last year, which is also the only time he’s defeated a top-10 player in the last 20 months.

Success in the second round of Masters events has been a rarity for him throughout his career. Out of 13 second-round matches at this level, he’s only won three, most recently in Paris in 2023.

Head-to-Head

Score	Leader	Last Meeting Winner
1-0	Novak Djokovic	Djokovic in Astana 2022

Verdict

Novak Djokovic v Botic Van De Zandschulp

Given Novak Djokovic's poor form and shaky fitness, it might be wise to fade him at low odds for bigger winnings if a strong underdog appears. However, since Botic van de Zandschulp doesn't fit that mold, backing Djokovic to cover the handicap games seems like the smarter option.

Novak Djokovic 2-0

Correct Score

@-270.27 - 2 Units

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Under 12.5

Djokovic Total Games

@-133.33 - 2 Units

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