By Tony Fairbairn
- Daniil Medvedev prepares to defend Rome title as Novak Djokovic returns ahead of Roland Garros
- Top Seeds: Novak Djokovic, Daniil Medvedev, Alexander Zverev, Andrey Rublev
- British Interest: Cameron Norrie [27], Dan Evans, Jack Draper
ROME, ITALY – Daniil Medvedev prepares to defend his Rome title with Novak Djokovic returning to action as preparations continue ahead of Roland Garros.
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[1] Novak Djokovic
Best Result: Champion (2008, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2020, 2022)
It’s quality over quantity for Djokovic who is only playing his second clay court event of the season in Rome as he continues his preparations for Roland Garros.
Djokovic’s Path to the Final (Ranking/Seeding)
- R1: BYE | H2H: N/A
- R2: Roman Safiullin | H2H: Djokovic leads 2-0
- R3: Alejandro Tabilo [29] | H2H: First Meeting
- R4: Karen Khachanov [16] | H2H: Djokovic leads 9-1
- QF: Casper Ruud [5] | H2H: Djokovic leads 5-1
- SF: Alexander Zverev [3] | H2H: Djokovic leads 8-4
- F: Daniil Medvedev [2] | H2H: Djokovic leads 10-5
Djokovic will most likely begin his campaign against Roman Safiullin before facing either talented Czech Republican Jakub Mensik or Alejandro Tabilo in the third round. A rather comfortable last 16 clash against Karen Khachanov awaits with a Monte-Carlo rematch against Casper Ruud being in the quarter-finals with the Norwegian winning that clash a couple of weeks ago. There is a lot of uncertainty regarding Djokovic’s state of mind given he has split up with most of his team but the Serb will expect a response over the next fortnight as he looks to capitalize on Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz’s absence.
[2] Daniil Medvedev
Best Result: Champion (2023)
Medvedev prepares to defend his Rome title this week as he aims to bounce back from a disappointing tournament in Madrid.
Medvedev’s Path to the Final (Ranking/Seeding)
- R1: BYE | H2H: N/A
- R2: Jack Draper | H2H: First Meeting
- R3: Alejandro Davidovich Fokina [30] | H2H: Medvedev leads 4-0
- R4: Tommy Paul [14] | H2H: Medvedev leads 3-0
- QF: Hubert Hurkacz [7] | H2H: Tied at 3-3
- SF: Andrey Rublev [4] | H2H: Medvedev leads 7-4
- F: Novak Djokovic [1] | H2H: Djokovic leads 10-5
Medvedev has a very tough start to his title defence against either Jack Draper or Borna Coric. A third round clash against Alexei Popyrin or Alejandro Davidovich Fokina will not be easy for Medvedev before a potential last 16 clash against Tommy Paul. Last year’s finalist Holger Rune, Hubert Hurkacz or even Rafael Nadal could await in the quarter-finals. This is a very tricky draw for Medvedev to negotiate through but if he can reach the last eight unscathed then he will have the belief to go all the way in Rome once again.
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[3] Alexander Zverev
Best Result: Champion (2017)
Zverev will look to improve on a disappointing Madrid campaign as he is slowly losing ground on top players around him in the rankings.
Zverev’s Path to the Final (Ranking/Seeding)
- R1: BYE | H2H: N/A
- R2: Aleksandar Vukic | H2H: Zverev leads 1-0
- R3: Mariano Navone [28] | H2H: First Meeting
- R4: Alexander Bublik [15] | H2H: Bublik leads 3-1
- QF: Grigor Dimitrov [8] | H2H: Zverev leads 7-2
- SF: Novak Djokovic [1] | H2H: Djokovic leads 8-4
- F: Daniil Medvedev [2] | H2H: Medvedev leads 12-7
Zverev’s first main obstacle is likely to come against either Denis Shapovalov or in-form Mariano Navone in the third round. The last 16 tie against Alexander Bublik should be quite favourable for the German although the same cannot be said about the potential quarter-final tie against Grigor Dimitrov. Ultimately if current performances continue to persist than it is hard to see how the German reaches the last four in Italy.
[4] Andrey Rublev
Best Result: Quarter-Final (2021)
Rublev is in resurgent and confident form having won his second Masters 1000 title of his career in Madrid.
Rublev’s Path to the Final (Ranking/Seeding)
- R1: BYE | H2H: N/A
- R2: Marcos Giron | H2H: Rublev leads 1-0
- R3: Arthur Fils [31] | H2H: Rublev leads 1-0
- R4: Ugo Humbert [13] | H2H: Rublev leads 3-2
- QF: Stefanos Tsitsipas [6] | H2H: Tsitsipas leads 6-5
- SF: Daniil Medvedev [2] | H2H: Medvedev leads 7-2
- F: Novak Djokovic [1] | H2H: Djokovic leads 10-5
Rublev will face a difficult opening test against Marcos Giron or Emil Ruusuvuori with Arthur Fils set to test his clay court prowess in the third round. A Madrid final rematch against Felix Auger-Aliassime could happen in the quarter-finals should Stefanos Tsitsipas not make it through his section. Ultimately given the injuries and uncertainty in the men’s game, Rublev should be aiming for a semi-final result at minimum in order to prove his consistency.
Rome starts on Tuesday 7th of May and concludes on Sunday 19th of May.
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