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Novak Djokovic Roland Garros 2020
ATP Tennis Players, Novak Djokovic, Tennis News

Novak Djokovic to face early test in Monte Carlo though avoids Rafael Nadal


Following the draw ceremony, it is very possible Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal could meet in the championship match at the Monte Carlo Masters. 

World No 1 Djokovic and third seed Nadal were placed in opposite sides of the ATP 1000 draw, which may result in a fourth final between the pair and the first since 2013.

However, the Serbian faces a very tough start to his Monte Carlo campaign.

Making his return after lifting his ninth Australian Open title, Djokovic will face either Italian youngster Jannik Sinner or 2017 finalist Albert Ramos-Vinolas in his opening match.

The top seed also shares the top half of the draw with Stefanos Tsitsipas, Alexander Zverev and Miami Open champion Hubert Hurkacz.

Tsitsipas also faces a tough start to his clay season, facing either Lorenzo Musetti or Aslan Karatsev in his second round match.

In the bottom half, 11-time champion Nadal will also make his first appearance since the Australian Open and will return against Adrian Mannarino or a qualifier in the second round.

Nadal owns an unprecedented 71-5 record at Monte Carlo and most recently triumphed in 2018, when he defeated Japanese star Kei Nishikori to lift his third successive title.

The Spaniard shares the third quarter of the draw with Russian Andrey Rublev, compatriot Roberto Bautista Agut and former World No 3 Grigor Dimitrov.

Also featuring in the bottom half is World No 2 Daniil Medvedev, who is still searching for his maiden clay-court title. The Russian will face either Filip Krajinovic or Nikoloz Basilashvili in his opener.

The main draw will get underway on Monday 12 April at the Monte-Carlo Country Club.


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Tim Farthing, Tennishead Editorial Director & Owner, has been a huge tennis fan his whole life. He's a tennis journalist and entrepreneur as well as playing tennis to a national standard. He also helps manage his local club and volunteers for his local tennis organisation. He's a specialist in content about the administration of professional tennis and tennis coaching for all levels.