DJOKOVIC, FEDERER ON BOARD FOR ROME, NISHIKORI OUT BY RICKY DIMON

Written by: Staff on 11th May 2014

Monte Carlo Masters in Roquebrune Cap Martin

DJOKOVIC, FEDERER ON BOARD FOR ROME, NISHIKORI OUT BY RICKY DIMON

epa04171596 Novak Djokovic of Serbia returns the ball to Guillermo Garcia Lopez of Spain during their quarter final match at the Monte Carlo Rolex Masters tournament in Roquebrune Cap Martin, France, 18 April 2014. EPA/SEBASTIEN NOGIER |

Rafael Nadal did not have much company from the proverbial “Big Four” last week in Madrid. Novak Djokovic missed the tournament due to a wrist injury, Roger Federer pulled out following the birth of twin boys, and Andy Murray was unceremoniously bounced out by Santiago Giraldo after just one match.

The story could be a much different one this week in Rome. Nadal, who captured the Madrid title on Sunday, is currently joined in the field by both Djokovic and Federer. While the Serb and the Swiss are in the bracket’s other half, Murray is a potential quarterfinal opponent for Nadal. The Scot’s nearest seed–John Isner–is already out, but his road could begin against Madrid quarterfinalist Feliciano Lopez before a possible rematch against Giraldo.

One notable absentee is Madrid runner-up Kei Nishikori, who withdrew from Rome after retiring in the third set of Sunday’s final against Nadal due to a lingering back problem. That could be good news for Madrid quarterfinalist Ernests Gulbis, who was slated to meet Nishikori in the opening round. David Ferrer was on a collision course for the third round with the Japanese superstar in what would have been a rematch of their epic Madrid semifinal. Djokovic also finds himself if the bottom section of the Rome draw and he is set for a second-round date with familiar foe Radek Stepanek.

Of the eight men with byes straight to the last 32, Tomas Berdych may have been dealt the toughest path. His opener could come against an in-form Roberto Bautista Agut, to whom the Czech lost earlier this season in Indian Wells. Stanislas Wawrinka and Grigor Dimitrov also loom large in Berdych’s quarter.

Federer’s nearest seeds are Fabio Fognini, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, and Milos Raonic. Of those four, a slumping Tsonga may be the most hard-pressed to do any damage this week. Right off the bat he will have to face Alexandr Dolgopolov, who upset Nadal en route to the Indian Wells semifinals.

Nadal (seven titles since 2005) and Djokovic (2008, 2011) are the only two past champions in the entire tournament. The last player other than Nadal or Djokovic to triumph in Rome was Carlos Moya back in 2004.

Topics: Andy Murray, djokovic, Federer, Kei Nishikori, Ricky Dimon, Rome, Tennis News

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10sBalls_com says:

May 11, 2014 at 10:48 pm

DJOKOVIC, FEDERER ON BOARD FOR ROME, NISHIKORI OUT BY RICKY DIMON (@RD_Tennistalk) – http://t.co/F4G5fXKH4D @DjokerNole @rogerfederer
Prawita_sari says:

May 12, 2014 at 12:01 am

RT @TennisNewsOne: DJOKOVIC, FEDERER ON BOARD FOR ROME, NISHIKORI OUT BY RICKY DIMON http://t.co/iOl17hz1ju #tennis
RD_Tennistalk says:

May 12, 2014 at 7:13 pm

RT @10sBalls_com: DJOKOVIC, FEDERER ON BOARD FOR ROME, NISHIKORI OUT BY RICKY DIMON (@RD_Tennistalk) – http://t.co/F4G5fXKH4D @DjokerNole …