ATP Paris: Nadal celebrates a comeback, Thiem with horror draw, Federer also
The draw for the ATP Masters 1000 tournament promises some excitement.
by Nikolaus Fink
last edit: Oct 25, 2019, 08:28 pm
Rafael Nadal will play his first official match in Paris since the US Open final against Daniil Medvedev. The Spaniard is already in Paris. The draw meant it with the Mallorquin first good, he opened against Adrian Mannarino or a qualifier.
However, it could be tricky after that, with both Stan Wawrinka and Marin Cilic threatening in the round of 16. Possible 33-year-old quarterfinal opponents include defending champion Karen Khachanov and Matteo Berrettini.
Nadal's permanent rival Roger Federer landed in the same half as the Spaniard. The 38-year-old, who is currently still in action in Basel, will meet Nikoloz Basilashvili or Radu Albot at the opening. After that, according to the set list, Gael Monfils is waiting. Whether Federer will actually play in the ATP Masters 1000 Tournament on the Seine, the Maestro will probably only decide after the event in Basel.
Thiem and Zverev with difficult draw
Should Federer decide to start in the French capital, he could play in the quarter-final against Alexander Zverev. The German starts against Borna Coric or Fernando Verdasco, in the second round it could go against Fabio Fognini.
In the upper half of the table Dominic Thiem got a difficult draw. Already in the quarterfinals, the Austrian could meet Daniil Medvedev. Before that, the 26-year-old would probably have to defeat Milos Raonic and David Goffin - not an easy task for the Lichtwörther.
Even the world number one seed Novak Djokovic will go in Paris at the start. The Serb, who will be replaced by Nadal at the top of the world rankings on 4 November, will be joined by Dusan Lajovic or Richard Gasquet. Then according to the seedlist Diego Schwartzman and Stefanos Tsitsipas would wait.