Djokovic Opens Clay Season In Depleted Monte Carlo Masters Field
Novak Djokovic leads the way in a solid Monte Carlos Masters field. The Serb, who missed both March masters, opens his season at this level and on this surface at his second home where he has won the title twice.
In pursuit is 2-time defending champion Stefanos Tsitsipas, Miami winner Daniil Medvedev and the Estoril champion Casper Ruud who may have righted his ship.
But the Spaniards are not playing. Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz both withdrew.
Top seeds are: 1 Novak Djokovic, 2 Stefanos Tsitsipas, 3 Daniil Medvedev, 4 Casper Ruud, 5 Andrey Rublev, 6 Holger Rune, 7 Jannik Sinner, 8 Taylor Fritz, 9 Karen Khachanov, 10 Hubert Hurkacz, 11 Cameron Norrie, 12 Frances Tiafoe, 13 Alexander Zverev, 14 Alex De Minaur, 15 Borna Coric, 16 Lorenzo Musetti.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC QUARTER
Seeds: 1 Djokovic, 7 Sinner, 10 Hurkacz, 16 Musetti,
Floaters: Baez, Kecmanovic, Schwartzman, Goffin, Draper, McDonald
Notable openers: Miomir Kecmanovic-Lorenzo Musetti, Hubert Hurkacz-Laslo Djere, Sebastian Baez-Jack Draper, Diego Schwartzman-David Goffin
Notes: Djokovic opens as a strong favorite in his section but Sinner and Hurkacz could pose a threat. Hurkacz already saved three match points in a win today.
DANIIL MEDVEDEV QUARTER
Seeds: 3 Medvedev, 6 Rune, 11 Norrie, 13 Zverev
Floaters: Berrettini, Bautista Agut, Cerundolo, Cressy, Gasquet, Bublik, Sonego, Thiem
Notable openers: Roberto Bautista Agut-Filip Krajinovic, Alexander Bublik-Alexander Zverev, Cameron Norrie-Francisco Cerundolo, Maxime Cressy-Matteo Berrettini
Notes: Can Medvedev keep going on the clay, his least favorite surface? Medvedev comes in off a Miami title and he’s won 25 of his last 26. The Russian could face Zverev and then Rune. The struggling Berrettini and Thiem are also in there.
CASPER RUUD QUARTER
Seeds: 4 Ruud, 5 Rublev, 9 Khachanov, 14 De Minaur,
Floaters: Davidovich Fokina, Evans, Van De Zandschulp, Murray
Notable openers: Daniel Evans-Ilya Ivashka, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina-Karen Khachanov, Alex De Minaur-Andy Murray, Botic Van De Zandschulp-Marton Fucsovics
Notes: After his Estoril title, Ruud seems to be back in form and if he really is, he’s in a good section with only the inconsistent Russians Rublev and Khachanov lurking. The De Minaur-Murray match is among the best in the first round.
STEFANOS TSITSIPAS QUARTER
Seeds: 8 Fritz, 12 Tiafoe, 15 Coric
Floaters: Dimitrov, Griekspoor, Shelton, Lehecka, Wawrinka
Notable openers: Stan Wawrinka-Tallon Griekspoor, Ben Shelton-Grigor Dimitrov, Jiri Lehecka-Frances Tiafoe, Borna Coric-Nicolas Jarry, Dusan Lajovic-Alexei Popyrin, Benjamin Bonzi-Bernabe Zapata Miralles
Notes: Some good early round matches in this second but Tsitsipas looks like the clear pick.
No. 1 Djokovic is projected to meet 7 Sinner in the quarters, No. 3 Medvedev – 6 Rune, No. 5 Rublev – 4 Ruud, and 8 seed Fritz – 2 Tsitsipas in the bottom quarter.
The semifinals could see Novak Djokovic-Daniil Medvedev and Casper Ruud-Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Former champions: Djokovic(2), Wawrinka, Tsitsipas(2)
Former finalists: Rublev, Davidovich Fokina, Lajovic
Last year, (3) Stefanos Tsitsipas defeated Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 6-3 7-6(3).
LAST 10 MONTE CARLO CHAMPIONS/FINALS
2022 Stefanos Tsitsipas d Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 6-3 7-6(3)
2021 Stefanos Tsitsipas d Andrey Rublev 6-3 6-3
2019 Fabio Fognini d Dusan Lajovic 6-3 6-4
2018 Rafael Nadal d Kei Nishikori 6-3 6-2
2017 Rafael Nadal d Albert Ramos 6-1 6-3
2016 Rafael Nadal d Gael Monfils 7-5 5-7 6-0
2015 Novak Djokovic d Tomas Berdych 7-5 4-6 6-3
2014 Stan Wawrinka d Roger Federer 4-6 7-6(5) 6-2
2013 Novak Djokovic d Rafael Nadal 6-2 7-6(1)
2012 Rafael Nadal d Novak Djokovic 6-3 6-1
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