Monte Carlo Rolex Masters 2013: Of the Djoker, el Torro and the Scot

The tennis season seemed like it just started and now here we are, almost midway. An interesting journey it has been, a continuation of which is anticipated at the Monte Carlo Rolex Masters.

It’s a brimming contingent that’ll start the first Masters event of the clay court season. The defending champion seems to be all set, as does the world no. 1 whose injury woes threatened to momentarily derail him. Even with David Ferrer’s unexpected withdrawal from the event, Murray, Del Potro and Tsonga set the perfect stage to mark the run up to the French Open with a motley entourage as a complementary tour de force.

Top Half: First Quarter

Novak Djokovic and Juan Martin Del Potro are the two big names in this quartet. And incidentally, this will be the first time that both will take part in an event after an injury scare. Though Djokovic saw Serbia safely through in their Davis Cup quarter-final against USA in spite of an ankle injury, the Monte Carlo Masters would be a perfect arena for him to gauge his movement on the dirt. If his ankle holds up as he believes it would, Nole then is most definitely the hands down favourite in this quarter.

Juan Martin Del Potro’s performances have been a mixed bag so far. Bagging his first title of the season at the ABN AMRO Open, Del Potro continued his spectacular run at Indian Wells. He put up a spirited performance first to dismiss Andy Murray in the quarter-finals, and then to dispatch Djokovic in the semis. In the finals, he led a spirited charge against Rafael Nadal, but fell short in the final set, allowing Rafa to win a record 22nd Masters’ title. He was however ousted quite abruptly at the Miami Masters and as his wrist injury threatened to flare up again, was forced to take a step back in the next couple of tournaments. If Del Potro manages to overcome Milos Raonic, Viktor Troicki and Alexandr Dolgopolov, then Novak Djokovic could have a tough battle on his hands.

Quarter-final Prediction: Novak Djokovic def. Juan Martin Del Potro in three sets

Top Half: Second Quarter

If the first quarter packed quite a few big hitting heavyweights, by comparison the second quarter of the top half has some real lightweights. But there is nothing lightweight about their abilities. Tomas Berdych and Richard Gasquet are the higher ranked seeds, expected to make the quarter-final line-up though Marin Cilic and Jerzy Janowicz could really alter the final outlook of the quarter-final twosome. Especially in case the Czech and the Frenchman, even so slightly, lift the pedal off their game.

Quarter-final Prediction: Tomas Berdych def. Richard Gasquet in three sets

Bottom Half: First Quarter

The defending champion finds his place in this quarter, in the 56-man draw of the Monte Carlo Masters as the third seed going into the tournament. And it’s probably for the first time that he finds himself with an outside looking chance at winning the Monte Carlo title, rather than an out-and-out favourite. Yet, no matter who wins the tournament ultimately, Rafael Nadal remains the favourite to top this quarter.

Janko Tipsarevic started the year quite strong, winning his first ATP Chennai Open title in January. Thereafter the Serb has struggled to find his rhythm, even though he still remains one of the toughest players on tour. His form still remains shaky and as such, is the most important factor that could univocally tilt the balance in favour of the Spaniard.

Quarter-final Prediction: Rafael Nadal def. Janko Tipsarevic in Straight Sets

Bottom-Half: Second Quarter

Andy Murray sets the pace for the game in this quarter that consists of, amongst others, players like Gael Monfils, Stanislas Wawrinka and Jo-Wilfred Tsonga. With a lead of 80 ranking points over Swiss Roger Federer, the Scot will be determined to add a few more valued ranking points to his tally. Though considering that either Gael Monfils or Stanislas Wawrinka would be his potential third round opponent, Andy Murray will have to showcase his best tennis, right from the get go. Any less and the Scot could find himself upset and his rankings in threat.

Jo-Wilfred Tsonga finds himself in a similar predicament as the other top-seed in the quarter. With a potential match-up against Nikolay Davydenko in the second round, the route to the quarter-finals only gets harder for the Frenchman with either Nicholas Almagro or Jurgen Melzer facing against him in the third round. If Tsonga comes out strong against each of these players, then Murray could indeed have a fight on his hands.

Quarter-final Prediction: Murray def. Jo-Wilfred Tsonga in Straight Sets