The red clay season official opens this week in Monte Carlo where first round play began on Sunday.
Novak Djokovic returns after missing the first two Masters due to vaccine requirements, but in Monte Carlo, where Djokovic spends time, he’s able to play.
The 2-time Monte Carlo champion is also back at No. 1 and could stay there for a while with No. 2 Daniil Medvedev sidelined.
His draw, though, could put him up against the red-hot Miami winner Carlos Alcaraz in the quarters. Djokovic will open his clay campaign against another Spaniard, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, then Roberto Bautista Agut and then the teen. He’s projected to draw either Casper Ruud or Cameron Norrie in the semifinals.
In the bottom half, Alexander Zverev is seeded second with Pablo Carreno Busta in his third round path, and either Andrey Rublev or Jannik Sinner in the quarters.
Defending champ Stefanos Tsitsipas and Felix Auger-Aliassime are also lined up for a quarterfinal collision.
Stan Wawrinka makes his return to tour-level play. He’ll face Alexander Bublik.
Borna Coric, Sebastian Korda, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Grigor Dimitrov and Aslan Karatsev are also in the draw.
Tsonga opens against Marin Cilic and Coric collides with Sinner tomorrow, while Korda could meet Alcaraz in the second round.
MONDAY MONTE CARLO SCHEDULE
COURT RAINIER III start 11:00 am
F. Fognini (ITA) vs A. Rinderknech (FRA)
[WC] S. Wawrinka (SUI) vs A. Bublik (KAZ)
[PR] B. Coric (CRO) vs [9] J. Sinner (ITA)
[WC] J. Tsonga (FRA) vs M. Cilic (CRO)
COURT DES PRINCES start 11:00 am
S. Korda (USA) vs B. van de Zandschulp (NED)
Not Before 12:30 pm
K. Khachanov vs [12] D. Schwartzman (ARG)
[13] P. Carreno Busta (ESP) vs [Q] S. Baez (ARG)
[11] H. Hurkacz (POL) vs [Q] H. Dellien (BOL)
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