This year, he could meet 2015 champion Stan Wawrinka in the second round, and faces a projected quarterfinal meeting with Djokovic, who ended his run last year in a brutal semifinal. Yet the last time he won at Roland Garros, in 2020, he entered the tournament with just three clay-court matches under his belt following a quarterfinal loss in Rome, and proceeded to storm to the title without losing a set. The rib injury he sustained at Indian Wells kept him off tour for six weeks and limited him to tournaments in Madrid – where he stretched Alcaraz to three sets in the quarters – and Rome. Unlike previous seasons, Nadal arrives in Paris short on clay-court match play. The return of 💪 #RolandGarros /X7TVd8Tb1n
The 35-year-old Spaniard was visibly struggling with a chronic foot injury during his third-round loss to Denis Shapovalov in Rome, although, in an encouraging sign, he practised before thousands of fans on Wednesday at Court Philippe Chatrier. One cannot discount Nadal, despite his physical issues. It's the perfect kind of preparation and lead-up to Roland Garros.”ĭjokovic will be playing for his third title in Paris, and a record-equalling 21st major singles title. “Anything that I was really looking for here in Rome I got. Historically that's always been the case. “I knew I'm kind of player, particularly on clay, that needs more time, at least three, four weeks to get to the desired level. Didn't drop a set the whole tournament,” Djokovic said following his 6-0 7-6(5) victory in the final over Tsitsipas. “I couldn't ask for a better week really. Novak Djokovicīest results: W Rome F Belgrade SF Madridĭespite a slow start to the European clay-court swing, the world No.1 has steadily built momentum, which reached a crescendo last week in Rome.ĭjokovic scooped the Italian title for the sixth time – beating top-10 players Felix Auger-Aliassime, Casper Ruud and Tsitsipas in succession – and believes he is well positioned for his Roland Garros title defence. That likelihood increased when Djokovic, Nadal, Alcaraz and Zverev all landed in the top half of the draw when it was released on Thursday. What makes this year’s tournament at Roland Garros all the more exciting is that these players may well have to go through one another to achieve ultimate glory in Paris. READ MORE: Stosur backs Swiatek for Roland Garros title The fourth of that 2021 semifinal quartet, Nadal, is a towering figure at the clay-court Grand Slam and will target a mind-blowing 14th French title over the next fortnight. Tsitsipas, Alcaraz and Djokovic scooped the three biggest clay-court lead-up titles at Masters events in Monte Carlo, Madrid and Rome.ĭjokovic, Tsitsipas and Zverev were three of the four semifinalists in both Madrid and Rome – as they were at Roland Garros last year. As Roland Garros approaches, five men – Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Carlos Alcaraz, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Alexander Zverev – stand above the rest when it comes to title favouritism.
0 kommentar(er)
