the serbian Novak Djokovicseventh in the world, defending from this Monday the scepter of Masters 1,000 of Paris-Bercy, where number 2 returns to the competition, Rafael Nadaland where Carlos Alcarazthe precocious number 1, will have an important test to end the year at the top of the circuit.
Six times winner of this tournament, Djokovic, 35, is the man to beat on the Bercy indoor hard court. In a 2022 year overshadowed for him by his absence from two of the four majors due to not being vaccinated against covid (Australia and the United States), the Serbian has four injuries this year, including Wimbledon and the Masters 1,000 in Rome.
The Serbian will face the winner of the match between Argentine Diego Schwartzman and American Maxime Cressy in the second round.
On the path of “Djoko” can cross the semifinals nadalwho has no fond memories of Bercy, one of the two Masters 1,000s he has yet to win and the best result was the final in 2007 when he lost to David Nalbandian.
The Spaniard, the leading Grand Slam winner (22) after winning Roland Garros and Australia this year, had a difficult second half of the year due to physical problems that forced him to withdraw from Wimbledon and the US Open, as well as for personal reasons, such as his wife’s pregnancy.
A father since October 8, Bercy means his return to the courts and a way to earn points that allow him to dream of finishing the year as number 1. In his debut, he will face the winner of between the Spaniard Roberto Bautista (18) and the American Tommy Paul (32).
The genius Alcarazwho at age 19 became the earliest to reach number 1 after winning his first major tournament in the United States in September, arrives in Paris after falling in the Basel semifinals (ATP 500) against Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime , the ninth in world and one of the fittest men on the circuit.
The Murcian, who could face each other in a hypothetical final with Djokovic or Nadal, has a particularly thorny image. In the semis, it can be crossed with Auger-Aliassime himself or the Russian Daniil Medvedev, number 4 in the world.
In the quarters, either the Pole Hubert Hurkacz (10) or the Russian Andrey Rublev (8). And in the third second round, the Italian Matteo Berrettini, number 14 in the world.
His first opponent will be the winner between the Japanese Yoshihito Nishioka and the Russian Aslán Karátsev. Alcaraz has few points to defend in Paris, having lost in the third round last year. His goal is to consolidate his position to finish the year as number 1, once the Turin ATP Finals are played in November.
The Bercy Masters 1,000, the last year in that category, will also serve to determine who the 10 best-ranked players qualify in November for the masters tournament.
So far, there are six mathematically inside: Carlos Alcaraz, Rafa Nadal, Casper Ruud, Daniil Medvedev, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Novak Djokovic.
Source: La Verdad
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
