World No 1 Novak Djokovic returns to motion within the second spherical of this week’s Geneva Open when he takes on German Yannick Hanfmann on Wednesday not earlier than 5pm UK time.
Djokovic suffered an sudden loss to Thirty second-ranked Alejandro Tabilo within the third spherical of the Internazionali d’Italia in Rome and left the Serbian in search of extra video games on clay earlier than defending his title at Roland Garros.
He’ll attempt to get again on monitor in Geneva, the place he’s making his event debut.
Djokovic’s different clay occasion this season at Monte Carlo resulted in a loss to Casper Ruud within the semi-finals.
The seventh-ranked Ruud will search a 3rd Geneva title after wins in 2021 and 2022.
Djokovic final performed a event in Switzerland in October 2011, dropping in Basel to Kei Nishikori within the semi-finals of Roger Federer’s hometown occasion.
The 37-year-old leads the sphere in Geneva the place he’ll chase his 99th tour-level title, whereas third seed Taylor Fritz and fourth seed Ben Shelton are additionally taking part in.
The Geneva Open has change into probably the most prestigious ATP 250 event within the calendar, attracting 11 of the world’s prime 50 gamers.
What occurred to Murray and Draper?
Andy Murray’s reprieve on the event proved a short one as he performed simply three video games earlier than dropping within the first spherical to Hanfmann.
Murray had trailed the German by a set and a double break on Monday night when impending storms despatched the gamers from the court docket and introduced play to an early finish.
And Hanfmann took care of enterprise beneath sunny skies on Tuesday lunchtime, needing barely 10 minutes to wrap up a 7-5 6-2 victory.
Murray now departs for Paris the place he’s set to play at Roland Garros for the primary time in 4 years.
There was additionally defeat in Geneva for Jack Draper, with the eighth seed dropping out 7-6 (8-6) 6-1 to Czech Tomas Machac.
Henman ‘shocked’ Djokovic taking part in Geneva
“I am very surprised Djokovic and Ruud are playing a week before the start of the French Open,” stated former British No 1 Tim Henman. “But obviously Roland Garros is the best of five sets so you want to keep your energy levels at 100 per cent but they obviously feel as though they need more matches.
“I do not essentially really feel like Djokovic must play any extra and Ruud made the ultimate in Monte-Carlo and received Barcelona – it’s a shock. It goes to point out that these guys need extra competitors.”
Annabel Croft said: “It is barely bizarre as a result of a variety of these prime gamers use the early rounds as their manner in. It is a variety of tennis they need to play and he is aware of win matches. He can flick a swap and get it proper again on monitor. He is simply performed rather a lot much less tennis this yr and he is coming in and not using a single win.
“Maybe he’s gone away and thought ‘I want to get a bit more positive about it’ going into the French but what you don’t want is a massive amount of matches and physical issues. He knows his body and his mind better, but it’s an interesting one.”
What’s developing on Sky Sports activities Tennis?
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- Geneva Open (ATP 250 with Djokovic in motion) – Could 20-25
- Lyon Open (ATP 250) – Could 20-25
- Internationaux de Strasbourg (WTA 500) – Could 20-25
- Morocco Open (WTA 250) – Could 20-25
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