Rafael Nadal and Daniil Medvedev share the road in Rome | ATP Tour

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Nadal and Medvedev share the road in Rome

Djokovic lands in the middle of the draw of Ruud, Zverev and Dimitrov

May 06, 2024

By ATPTour.com/es Staff

Will 10-time champion Rafael Nadal stop Daniil Medvedev’s title defense at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia?

The Spaniard has been placed in the same quarter of the draw as the second seed and current champion at the ATP Masters 1000 in Rome. Both could meet in the quarterfinals if they reach this round at the Foro Italico.

Nadal, who is facing his last participation in a tournament where he has a record of 69-8, will face an opponent from the qualifying phase in his first match. If he advances, he could have a big challenge in the second round against seventh seed Hubert Hurkacz. It would be the first Lexus ATP Head2Head duel against the Spaniard and the Pole.

Individual painting of Rome

Medvedev will have to prepare to debut against Borna Coric or Jack Draper. Daniil produced stellar tennis to win the first clay trophy of his career last year at the Foro Italico.

Among the possible semi-final opponents for Medvedev and Nadal is Andrey Rublev. The recent champion in Madrid will try to maintain his momentum by facing Emil Ruusuvuori or Marcos Giron in his first match. Andrey could meet Monte Carlo champion Stefanos Tsitsipas in the quarter-finals, although he might first have to beat a local favorite – Matteo Berrettini or Matteo Arnaldi – in the fourth round.

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Novak Djokovic, No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings, will debut against Roman Safiullin or a player from the qualifying phase in his first participation since Monte Carlo. The Serbian, six-time champion in Rome, can meet Casper Ruud in the quarterfinals.

Top 10 figures such as Alexander Zverev and Grigor Dimitrov also appear at the top of the table. The German third seed, Djokovic’s executioner in the Rome final in 2017, will begin the tournament against Aleksandar Vukic or a qualifying opponent. The Bulgarian eighth seed, a former semi-finalist in Rome, will compete in an open field that includes No. 11 seed Taylor Fritz and local figures such as Lorenzo Musetti, Flavio Cobolli and Fabio Fognini.

Among the first round duels to follow include two Italian clashes, perfect for creating atmosphere in one of the most passionate venues. Former world No. 6 Berrettini will call up Stefano Napolinato, while Matteo Gigante crosses with Giulio Zeppieri.

Two #NextGenATP stars will try to take advantage of their first presence in the final draw in Rome. Jakub Mensik will face Tannick Hanfmann, whom he defeated days ago in the first round in Madrid. The 18-year-old Czech can meet Djokovic in the third round. For his part, the American Alex Michelsen will debut against Pavel Kotov.

The third #NextGenATP in the draw, No. 31 seed Arthur Fuls, will face Marton Fucsovics or a qualifying opponent looking to improve on the second round match signed in Rome a year ago. The 19-year-old Frenchman is currently leading the PIF ATP Live Race To Jeddah.