ATP Italian Open: Tasty draw as Novak Djokovic-Dan Evans; Rafael Nadal-Alexander Zverev on collision courses
Novak Djokovic and Dan Evans could be set for a rematch in the second round of the Italian Open while Rafael Nadal and Alexander Zverev are projected to meet in the quarter-final.
World No 1 Djokovic has not featured on the ATP Tour since he was stunned by British No 1 Evans in the third round of the Monte-Carlo Masters, but he could get a chance to exact revenge in Rome.
The 18-time Grand Slam winner, who has a bye into the second round, will face either British No 1 Evans or American Taylor Fritz in his opening encounter.
World No 5 Stefanos Tsitsipas is the other danger man in Section 1 and the Greek, who won the Monte-Carlo Masters, takes on either former US Open champion Marin Cilic or Alexander Bublik first up while Matteo Berrettini, who will face Zverev in the Madrid Open final, could be a third round opponent.
Section 2 is led by world No 4 and reigning US Open champion Dominic Thiem, who faces Guido Pella or Marton Fucsovics in the second round. He is projected to meet seventh seed Andrey Rublev in the quarter-final, but 10th seed Roberto Augusta Agut is also in the section.
Here we go!!! 😎
The #IBI21 #ATP Main Draw!🚀 pic.twitter.com/sNVkyUMq01— Internazionali Bnl (@InteBNLdItalia) May 8, 2021
The bottom half of the draw is led by world No 2 Nadal and Zverev finding themselves in Section 4.
The duo met in the quarter-final of this week’s Madrid Open with Zverev beating the 20-time Grand Slam winner in straight sets. The German went on to defeat Thiem in the semi-final and will take on Berrettini in Sunday’s final.
Nadal, though, will face either rising star Jannik Sinner or Frenchman Ugo Humbert in the second round while Zverev will be up against either Adrian Mannarino or a qualifier.
The winner of that section is projected to meet world No 3 Daniil Medvedev in the semi-final, although the Russian is yet to win a match in Rome.
Medvedev, who lost in the third round in Madrid, has a tough opener as he will face either compatriot Aslan Karatsev or Miomr Kecmanovic in the second round.
Eighth seed Diego Schwartzman is a likely quarter-final opponent, but Felix Auger-Aliassime, Karen Khachanov and David Goffin are also potential last-eight opponents.
Follow us on Twitter @T365Official and like our Facebook page.
Latest
-
ATP Tour
Carlos Alcaraz forced to accept brutal reality as he slumps to shock Miami Open defeat
Carlos Alcaraz could have no complaints as he was forced to accept the brutal reality that he was beaten by a better player.
-
Tennis News
Alexander Zverev just happy to be back competing against the best
Alexander Zverev has said that he savours being competitive in big tournaments.
-
Tennis News
WTA star announces that she is expecting a baby girl
Alison Riske-Amritraj will be having a daughter.
-
ATP Tour
Jannik Sinner breaks new ground for an Italian player with $20 million milestone
Jannik Sinner will become the first Italian player to bank $20 million in ATP Tour prize money after the Miami Open.
-
Tennis News
Carlos Alcaraz identifies key Grigor Dimitrov threat as he seeks revenge in Miami showdown
Carlos Alcaraz and Grigor Dimitrov have looked ahead to their Miami Open match.
-
WTA Tour
Charleston Open hand former No 1 wildcard to start her clay season
Wildcards were forthcoming for former world No 1 Caroline Wozniacki, world No 13 Beatriz Haddad Maia, and Charleston-native Shelby Rogers.
-
Tennis News
Former world No 1 weighs in on Iga Swiatek’s ‘aura’ as he makes ‘intimidating’ claim
“The more accomplishments Iga Swiatek has, the more intimidating it is to play her.”
-
WTA Tour
Naomi Osaka’s clay swing fills out with Rouen wildcard
Naomi Osaka gets Rouen wildcard to kickstart her clay swing.
-
WTA Tour
Danielle Collins balks at being asked to explain retirement
Danielle Collins has responded to those who question why she has decided to retire from tennis at the end of the current season.
-
Tennis News
‘Novak Djokovic’s problem is psychological’, assesses Roger Federer’s former coach
“Undoubtedly, ‘Nole’ must have fire inside, otherwise he is missing something.”