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ATP Belgrade-2 2021 Draw and Bracket: Novak Djokovic to Potentially Lock Horns With Gael Monfils

World number one Novak Djokovic, who was the runner-up at the recently concluded Italian Open, will play the second clay-court event in Belgrade, a month after reaching the semis in the first event. The Serb was defeated by Aslan Karatsev in three, nail-biting sets.

The ATP Beglrade-2 event features the 18-time grand slam champion along with talented players like Gael Monfils, Filip Krajinovic, Adrian Mannarino, etc. The event starts on the 23rd of this month.

Novak Djokovic
Tennis – ATP Masters 1000 – Italian Open – Foro Italico, Rome, Italy – May 16, 2021 Serbia’s Novak Djokovic in action during his final match against Spain’s Rafael Nadal REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane

Also read: Novak Djokovic Downplays Fatigue After Loss to Rafael Nadal at Italian Open Final, Aims to Peak at French Open 2021

Novak Djokovic headlines the main draw at the Belgrade Open

The main draw, that released moments ago, had Djokovic as the top seed. Gael Monfils was the number two seed. The tournament will be played at the Novak tennis center which comprises of 14 courts overall.

The world number one might play against Egor Gerasimov in the second round after receiving a bye in the first. The Serb might face either Pablo Andujar or Pablo Cuevas in the quarter-finals.

The projected route for Djokovic to win the title is as follows.

1st round – Bye

2nd round – Egor Gerasimov

Quarter-finals – Pablo Andujar/Pablo Cuevas

Semi-Finals – Dusan Lajovic

Finals – Gael Monfils

Coming to Monfils, he might be playing his opening round match against compatriot Arthur Rinderkneech. Rinderkneech is currently playing the Lyon Open, where he reached the quarter-finals. The young Frenchman stunned the tennis world by defeating Jannik Sinner in the third round yesterday.

Gael Monfils
Tennis – Australian Open – Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia, February 8, 2021 France’s Gael Monfils in action during his first round match against Finland’s Emil Ruusuvuori REUTERS/Jaimi Joy

Federic Delbonis could well be the potential quarter-finalist to contest with Monfils. But, players like Fernando Verdasco and Adrian Mannarino are also in the race to reach quarters.

Potential quarter-finals at the Belgrade Open:

  1. Novak Djokovic vs Pablo Cuevas/Pablo Andujar
  2. Nikoloz Basilashvili vs Dusan Lajovic
  3. Filip Krajinovic vs Adrian Mannarino/Fernando Verdasco
  4. Gael Monfils vs Federico Delbonis

Also, there are quite a few intriguing initial round matchups at the Belgrade Event. Here is the list:

  1. Tennys Sandgren vs Jeremy Chardy (1st round)
  2. Lucas Pouille vs Fernando Verdasco(1st round)
  3. Pablo Cuevas vs Miomir Kecmanovic (1sr round)
  4. Gael Monfils vs Arthur Rinderkneech(potential 2nd round)
  5. Pablo Andujar vs Pablo Cuevas (potential 2nd round)

While Novak Djokovic is the clear favorite at the Belgrade Open this year, the event has got the right mix of stars who can upset the Serb and make an impact right before the French Open.

Also read: “I’m Ashamed”: Novak Djokovic Opens Up on Outburst at Italian Open 2021

 

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