2010 Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters Preview

NOTE: This is my own version of draw analysis on 2010 Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters. In this self-version of draw analysis, I will pick who I think will be 2010 Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters Champion.

The clay court season has already begun! The ATP World Tour is in the third Masters 1000 tournament of the year and Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters is one of the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 event played on clay.

So, what can I expect from these tournament? World No.1 Roger Federer did not enter this event, therefore Novak Djokovic, the runner-up of this event last year, is the top seed, followed by the five-time defending champion Rafael Nadal, who is vying for his sixth straight title and looking for his first title since Rome last year, is the second seed.

This is Nadal's court, so how will other players get a fair share and a shot for a title in this event? Will Djokovic be able to solve the Nadal's puzzle? How about from the little-bit-slumping-lately Murray, will he be able to find his feet on clay?

Rafael Nadal
2009 Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters Champion

The Quarters - Part 1

Top seed Djokovic has a bye in the first round, as he wait for the winner between two Frenchmen, Florent Serra, who make Federer sweat in Miami and Stephane Robert. Getting past one of this Frenchmen will be a possible meeting between Ernests Gulbis or Stanislas Wawrinka.

In the bottom part of this quarter is Mikhail Youzhny, who is waiting for his opponent in the second round after given a bye. But a possible encounter with David Nalbandian is just looming around. If he gets past Nalbandian, then a repeat of their Dubai encounter will happen where Djokovic prevail. Is this a chance for Youzhny to get revenge?

Semifinalist: Djokovic
Player to watch: Nalbandian is back and after showing his performance against Nadal at Miami, he got a shot on this event.

The Quarters - Part 2

In this part of the draw, Marin Cilic has the toughest path to semifinal. After given a bye to the second round, he might meet the dangerous Russian, Igor Andreev. Then, a possible third round encounter with Marcos Baghdatis, that is, if he will be able to win over Oliver Rochus, who stunned Djokovic in the third round at Miami.

In his opposite is Fernando Verdasco, who will have a possible and intriguing match with either Richard Gasquet or Tomas Berdych, that is, if they will be able to defeat their respective opponent in the earlier round. It will be a titanic battle between Verdasco and Cilic, if they be able to get through.

Semifinalist: Verdasco
Match to watch: First round battle between Berdych and Feliciano Lopez.

The Quarters - Part 3

Andy Murray's form has been questionable lately. He was not able to perform at his best as he did not defend his title in Miami. And playing in his least favorite court, will Murray has recovered enough to get through semifinals? He will open his campaign against Thomaz Bellucci or Philipp Kohlschreiber. In the third round, he might meet Guillermo Garcia-Lopez.

The top part in this quarter is Ivan Ljubicic. Will he be able to find his feet on clay and do some damage in the draw? That will happen if he gets past of a possible opponent in the second round, Michael Llodra. David Ferrer, will try to stop another dream run of Ljubicic, if they meet in the third round, to book a meeting with Murray.

Semifinalist: Ferrer
Player to watch: Ljubicic shows impressive performance when he won his first ATP World Tour Masters 1000 at Indian Wells, will there be another dream run in Monte-Carlo?

The Quarters - Part 4

Nadal has an easy path to quarterfinals, but an exciting match with Juan Monaco is just around the corner. Who will be his opponent in the third round? Jo-Wilfred Tsonga, Nicolas Almagro, or Juan Carlos Ferrero? If the luck of the draw favored Tsonga, he will have to face two Spaniards before he get to the quarterfinals to meet Nadal. But clay is not Tsonga's ground, therefore the Spaniards will prevail and clash for a place in the semifinals.

Semifinalist: Nadal
Player to watch: Bernard Tomic, the Aussie teenager has done impressive performance this year. Can he show another in Monte-Carlo as open up his match against Benjamin Becker?

The Semifinals

Djokovic vs. Verdasco: This will be their fourth meeting on clay with Djokovic leading 2-1, 5-2 overall, in their head-to-head. Both players show so-so performance recently. Since this is a new environment, this might be a chance to regain their credential as an elite player. Djokovic in three sets.

Nadal vs. Ferrer: Since winning his round-robin match in 2007 at Tennis Masters Cup, Ferrer bowed out since to Nadal and looks like there is no repeat of such performance at the moment. With their latest encounter at Sony Ericsson Open where Nadal emerge victorious in the round of 16, another victory again will be tasted by Nadal and continuously to lead their career meetings of 10 wins to three. Nadal in straight tight sets.

Finalists: Djokovic, Nadal

The Finals

This match will be a very tough but a very good test for world No.2 Djokovic. But looking at their head-to-head record, Nadal wins twice as Djokovic does in the last 21 meetings. As defending champion and ultimately the favored surface, Nadal clearly is the favorite to win his sixth straight title in this event. With Djokovic hasn't won a single match on clay in the last nine meetings against Nadal, will need to dig it out deeply in order to pull off a victory. He almost solved Nadal in their last clay encounter at Madrid in 2009. This time he must studied the lessons of their past clash if he want to emerge victorious. A win in this event will extend his lead in the ranking over Nadal, if not, he's world No.2 ranking is in danger. Nadal in three grueling sets.

Champion: Rafael Nadal

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