By Ricky Dimon
There was no Novak Djokovic vs. Rafael Nadal matchup in Madrid, however it may occur in Rome. Simply as he did this previous week, Nadal finds himself within the high half of the bracket and on a semifinal collision course with Djokovic on the Internazionali BNL d’Italia.
General, nonetheless, it’s a far more balanced draw than what was on show on the Madrid Masters. Alexander Zverev, Stefanos Tsitsipas, and Andrey Rublev are all on the opposite aspect simply as they had been in Madrid, however this time they’re joined by Carlos Alcaraz. The 19-year-old Spaniard was in Nadal’s quarter on the previous Masters 1000 event (and he received that quarterfinal matchup 6-2, 1-6, 6-3).
Nadal’s fellow top-eight seed in his Rome part is Casper Ruud, who was superior on clay in 2021 however has struggled on the pink stuff this spring after making a shock run to a Masters 1000 remaining on the laborious courts of Miami. Up first for the 21-time Grand Slam champion could possibly be John Isner, adopted by both Denis Shapovalov, Dan Evans, Nikoloz Basilashvili, or Italy’s personal Lorenzo Sonego. Ruud awaits both Sebastian Korda or Botic van de Zandschulp in what’s going to seemingly be a tricky opening match.
Djokovic should have no bother till at the very least the quarters. That’s the place the top-ranked Serb may run into Felix Auger-Aliassime, Diego Schwartzman, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, or red-hot countryman Miomir Kecmanovic.
With Lorenzo Musetti pressured out by a thigh harm suffered in Madrid, Jannik Sinner can have by far the loftiest expectations among the many Italian contingent. His path by way of the bracket could also be a enjoyable one, too. The world No. 12 may meet Dominic Thiem or Fabio Fognini within the second spherical, Rublev within the final 16, Tsitsipas within the quarterfinals, and both Zverev or Alcaraz within the semis. As for Zverev and Alcaraz, they’ve favorable attracts within the early rounds and shouldn’t have any bother establishing a head-to-head showdown within the quarters.
Along with Korda-van de Zandschulp and Thiem-Fognini, first-round matches to observe are Schwartzman vs. Kecmanovic, Reilly Opelka vs. Stan Wawrinka, Hubert Hurkacz vs. David Goffin, and Roberto Bautista Agut vs. Alex de Minaur.
Ricky contributes to 10sballs.com and likewise maintains his personal tennis web site, The Grandstand. You’ll be able to comply with him on twitter at @Dimonator.
