Djokovic returns, Alcaraz and Rune ready to debut – a look at the men’s draw in Rome

Novak Djokovic skipped out on the Madrid Masters last week, which left people drooling for the first tournament featuring both Djokovic and world No 2 Carlos Alcaraz in 2023.

Alas, it is here! Djokovic and Alcaraz have been placed in this week’s Internazionali BNL d’Italia draw, along with debutant Holger Rune and the rest of the ATP’s top 10.

The only thing missing, of course: 10-time champion Rafael Nadal.

Let’s have a look at where the dominoes might fall in Rome…

Djokovic’s path to the title

Six-time Djokovic enters followed by an injury cloud and some worries about his form (he’s just 2-2 on clay this spring and has been dealing with an elbow issue). It’s not an entirely new story for Djokovic. He’s often needed time to develop his clay game, and on many of those occasions the eternal city – where Djokovic is absolutely adored by fans – has sparked the Serb to life.

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Will it happen in 2023? Time will tell. For now, all we know is who the world No 1 may have to face to make a run.

Here’s how Djokovic’s draw shapes up, if seeds hold:

• R1 – Bye
• R2 – Luca Van Assche or Tomas Martin Etcheverry
• R3 – [26] Dimitrov (or Wawrinka or Ivaskha)
• R16 – [13] Norrie or [17] de Minaur
• QF – [7] Rune or [10] Auger-Aliassime
• SF – [4] Ruud or [8] Sinner
• F – [2] Alcaraz

Alcaraz’s path to the final

Red-hot Alcaraz, fresh off his tenth career title at Madrid, where he edged Jan-Lennard Struff in a tense battle in Sunday’s final, will make his Rome debut this week. The 20-year-old is just five points behind Djokovic for the No 1 ranking, and is certain to leave Rome with the No 1 ranking, provided that he plays his first match.

Here’s how Alcaraz can make his way to the final and a potential showdown with Djokovic for the title (if the seeds hold):

• R1 – Bye
• R2 – Ramos-Vinolas or Passaro
• R3 – [32] Lehecka
• R16 – [15] Coric or [20] Evans
• QF – [5] Tsitsipas
• SF – [6] Rublev or [9] Fritz or [14] Hurkacz
• F – [1] Djokovic

Popcorn first (and second) rounders

Andy Murray, who just won a challenger title at Aix-en-Provence, has drawn Italian legend Fabio Fognini in the first round, with the winner to face [30] Miomir Kecmanovic.

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Ugo Humbert, also fresh off a challenger title in Sardegna, faces the talented Emil Ruusuvuori in his first match, with the winner slated to face [3] Daniil Medvedev in the second round.

No 5-seeded Tsitsipas could face Dusan Lajovic in the second round. Lajovic, who opens with Portugal’s Dusan Lajovic, won the title in Banja Luka with wins over Novak Djokovic and Andrey Rublev in the semi-final and final.

If Spain’s Jaume Munar can get past a qualifier in round one, he’d set up a good matchup with [8] Jannik Sinner in round two.

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“Alcaraz is going to be No. 1 in the world, & I think he’s going to be staying there for many years” – Bjorn Borg

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