By Tony Fairbairn
- Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz aims to overcome injury doubts as Novak Djokovic misses out
- Top Seeds: Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev, Alexander Zverev
- British Interest: Cameron Norrie [29], Dan Evans, Jack Draper
MADRID, SPAIN – Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz looks to take advantage of Novak Djokovic’s absence and overcome injury doubts in order to defend his Madrid title.
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[1] Jannik Sinner
Best Result: R3 (2022)
Sinner is aiming for improved success on one of his worst surfaces as he aims to continue his dominant season.
Sinner’s Path to the Final (Ranking/Seeding)
- R1: BYE | H2H: N/A
- R2: Lorenzo Sonego | H2H: Sinner leads 4-0
- R3: Jordan Thompson [32] | H2H: First Meeting
- R4: Karen Khachanov [16] | H2H: Sinner leads 3-1
- QF: Casper Ruud [5] | H2H: Sinner leads 2-0
- SF: Daniil Medvedev [3] | H2H: Medvedev leads 6-5
- F: Carlos Alcaraz [1] | H2H: Tied at 4-4
A fairly relaxed opening few rounds for Sinner as Lorenzo Sonego, Jordan Thompson and Karen Khachanov aren’t expected to cause the Italian too many problems. A potential quarter-final against Barcelona champion Casper Ruud could cause a few problems although faster conditions suit Sinner’s game slightly more. Overall Sinner will be fairly pleased with the draw and will be expecting to set up a potential blockbuster final with Alcaraz.
[2] Carlos Alcaraz
Best Result: Champion (2022, 2023)
Alcaraz’s clay court season hasn’t gone to plan so far with the Spaniard’s injury meaning he couldn’t defend his Barcelona title and will now hope he isn’t too rusty ahead of his Madrid title defence.
Alcaraz’s Path to the Final (Ranking/Seeding)
- R1: BYE | H2H: N/A
- R2: Alexander Shevchenko | H2H: First Meeting
- R3: Lorenzo Musetti [28] | H2H: Alcaraz leads 3-1
- R4: Ugo Humbert [13] | H2H: First Meeting
- QF: Andrey Rublev [7] | H2H: Alcaraz leads 1-0
- SF: Alexander Zverev [4] | H2H: Zverev leads 5-4
- F: Jannik Sinner [1] | H2H: Tied at 4-4
Alcaraz will have to fend off some big-hitting in the opening two rounds with Alexander Shevchenko or Arthur Rinderknech awaiting in the Spaniard’s first match of the tournament. A mouth-watering clash with Lorenzo Musetti could await in the third round with a potential final rematch with Munich champion Jan-Lennard Struff awaiting in the last 16. Rivals Holger Rune and Zverev would await before Alcaraz can think about another final in Madrid. Overall, it’s a tough draw for the two-time champion and given his injury there is no way Alcaraz can realistically aim for another title in Madrid although try telling the ambitious Spaniard that.
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[3] Daniil Medvedev
Best Result: R4 (2023)
Medvedev is looking to capitalize on an improved clay court season from last year as he aims to reach a first Madrid quarter-final.
Medvedev’s Path to the Final (Ranking/Seeding)
- R1: BYE | H2H: N/A
- R2: Matteo Arnaldi | H2H: Medvedev leads 2-0
- R3: Sebastian Korda [25] | H2H: Tied at 2-2
- R4: Ben Shelton [14] | H2H: First Meeting
- QF: Stefanos Tsitsipas [6] | H2H: Medvedev leads 9-4
- SF: Jannik Sinner [1] | H2H: Medvedev leads 6-5
- F: Carlos Alcaraz [2] | H2H: Alcaraz leads 4-2
Medvedev will look to renew his rivalry with Sebastian Korda in the third round while Ben Shelton or Alexander Bublik could await in the last 16. Another match in a long rivalry with Stefanos Tsitsipas would await in the quarter-finals before a third match this season against Sinner would await in the semi-finals. Given his draw, Medvedev would happily take a quarter-final spot this season as the world number three searches for a winning formula on the clay.
[4] Alexander Zverev
Best Result: Champion (2018, 2021)
After a poor start to the clay court season, Zverev will aim to rebuild his confidence at a tournament which he has won twice.
Zverev’s Path to the Final (Seeding/Ranking)
- R1: BYE | H2H: N/A
- R2: Borna Coric | H2H: Tied at 3-3
- R3: Tomas Martin Etcheverry [26] | H2H: Zverev leads 1-0
- R4: Tommy Paul [15] | H2H: Paul leads 2-0
- QF: Hubert Hurkacz [8] | H2H: Zverev leads 3-0
- SF: Carlos Alcaraz [2] | H2H: Zverev leads 5-4
- F: Jannik Sinner [1] | H2H: Zverev leads 4-1
A tricky start awaits Zverev as he could take on the likes of Borna Coric, Denis Shapovalov and Tomas Martin Etcheverry in his first two rounds. A testing match against Tommy Paul awaits in the last 16 with Zverev not having the best record against the American. Overall, the draw is open for Zverev to make a deep run and who knows with his rivals not at the peak of their powers a third title should not be ruled out for Zverev.
Madrid starts on Wednesday 24th of April and concludes on Sunday 5th of May.
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