24
Apr
ATP - Serbia Open Preview
World No.2 Novak Djokovic will be seeking to swat away his challengers on home soil at the Serbia Open next week and get his clay court season off to a flying start. The dual Australian Open champion will hold top seed for the tournament in Belgrade as he makes his return from a short lay off following a minor knee injury.
Roundly touted as clay king Rafael Nadal’s main danger to the World No.1 spot, Djokovic will be confident of getting the title in Serbia under his belt as he prepares for a tilt at the French Open at the end of May.
As the event is only an ATP 250, naturally, many of Djokovic’s main rivals at the top of the world order will not be in the line-up and the 23 year-old has clearly selected the tournament as a perfect opportunity to ease himself back onto the court and quickly obtain match fitness.
Indeed it would be a major shock should Djokovic fail to succeed comfortably in Belgrade however he will be highly respectful of the opposition which does include some very talented players.
Perhaps the most high profile participant aside from the Serb is former World No.5 Fernando Gonzalez, who makes his long overdue return to action following hip surgery. The 30 year-old Chilean has been off the court since 2010 and has subsequently plummeted down the World Rankings to No.255 – so he will be determined to make a swift impression and win some matches to kick start his comeback trail.
2010 finalist John Isner will also be looking to go one better this time around. The giant American, who was also memorably involved in Wimbledon’s longest ever match last year; fell at the final hurdle to compatriot Sam Querrey.
With clay specialist Juan Monaco, Spain’s Guillermo Garcia-Lopez and the talented Ernests Gulbis also set to compete; Djokovic will undoubtedly have to get straight back into the groove.
Nevertheless, although he faces a field which is capable of troubling him on his reappearance, it is unlikely that anyone possesses the game to deny Djokovic a home win.
Roundly touted as clay king Rafael Nadal’s main danger to the World No.1 spot, Djokovic will be confident of getting the title in Serbia under his belt as he prepares for a tilt at the French Open at the end of May.
As the event is only an ATP 250, naturally, many of Djokovic’s main rivals at the top of the world order will not be in the line-up and the 23 year-old has clearly selected the tournament as a perfect opportunity to ease himself back onto the court and quickly obtain match fitness.
Indeed it would be a major shock should Djokovic fail to succeed comfortably in Belgrade however he will be highly respectful of the opposition which does include some very talented players.
Perhaps the most high profile participant aside from the Serb is former World No.5 Fernando Gonzalez, who makes his long overdue return to action following hip surgery. The 30 year-old Chilean has been off the court since 2010 and has subsequently plummeted down the World Rankings to No.255 – so he will be determined to make a swift impression and win some matches to kick start his comeback trail.
2010 finalist John Isner will also be looking to go one better this time around. The giant American, who was also memorably involved in Wimbledon’s longest ever match last year; fell at the final hurdle to compatriot Sam Querrey.
With clay specialist Juan Monaco, Spain’s Guillermo Garcia-Lopez and the talented Ernests Gulbis also set to compete; Djokovic will undoubtedly have to get straight back into the groove.
Nevertheless, although he faces a field which is capable of troubling him on his reappearance, it is unlikely that anyone possesses the game to deny Djokovic a home win.
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