Monte-Carlo Masters 2023: Men's singles draw analysis, preview and prediction ft. potential QF between Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner

Novak Djokovic will lead the field at the first Masters 1000 stop of the clay swing — the Monte-Carlo Masters, scheduled to be played at the namesake club in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, France between April 9-16.

Defending champion Stefanos Tsitsipas and the in-form duo of Daniil Medvedev and Jannik Sinner will look to challenge the World No. 1 in the absence of Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz. With several enticing match-ups lined up in the coming days, tennis fans will have plenty to cheer about.

With main-draw action set to begin at the Monte-Carlo Masters on Monday, here is a look at the prospects of the top names in the fray:

1st quarter of 2023 Monte-Carlo Masters: Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner on a collission course

Djokovic is a two-time winner at the Monte-Carlo Masters.

Top seeds: [1] Novak Djokovic, [7] Jannik Sinner, [10] Hubert Hurkacz, [16] Lorenzo Musetti

Dark horse: Sebastian Baez

Top seed Novak Djokovic finds himself surrounded by a slew of talented youngsters in the top quarter. First up for him will be the winner of the all-American clash featuring Brandon Nakashima and Mackenzie McDonald.

Things do not get any easier for Djokovic afterwards, as Lorenzo Musetti awaits as the potential opponent in the next round. The Italian famously took two sets off Djokovic at the 2021 French Open before being forced to retire mid-way through the fifth set.

If Djokovic survives the test, he could well run into seventh seed Jannik Sinner, who comes into the Monte-Carlo Masters fresh off a run to the Miami Open final.

That, provided that the big-hitting Italian can come through his own section that features the likes of Hubert Hurkacz, Diego Schwartzman and Sebastian Baez — the latest of whom already has a claycourt title to his name this season.

Prediction: Djokovic def. Sinner

2nd quarter: Daniil Medvedev looks to carry red-hot form onto clay

Daniil Medvedev with the 2023 Miami Open trophy

Top seeds: [3] Daniil Medvedev, [6] Holger Rune, [11] Cameron Norrie, [13] Alexander Zverev

Dark horse: Alexander Zverev

Daniil Medvedev has been the man to beat in 2023 so far. His 29 match wins and three titles are far ahead of anyone else and he is the only player to have beaten Djokovic this season.

The Russian's dislike for slower conditions, however, is well-documented. The surface is least suited for Medvedev's flat-hitting game and the same reflects in his results — he holds a poor 7-6 win-loss record at the French Open and has never won a title on the red dirt.

Luckily for him, though, the two players on a comebak trail — Lorenzo Sonego and Alexander Zverev — are all that stand between him and the Monte-Carlo Masters quarterfinal berth.

In the last-eight, Medvedev could face some stiff resistance from the dogged Holger Rune. Deceptively quick and a hard worker on court, the Dane thrives on clay. He does face the daunting task of holding off Cameron Norrie early on, but under the given conditions, one has to give the youngster an edge.

Prediction: Daniil Medvedev def. Holger Rune

3rd quarter: Opportunity for Andrey Rublev, Andy Murray against a struggling Casper Ruud

Andrey Rublev has never won successive matches at the Monte-Carlo Masters

Top seeds: [4] Casper Ruud, [7] Andrey Rublev, [9] Karen Khachanov, [11] Alex de Minaur

Dark horse: Andy Murray

Another Russian who is yet to make a big impact on the red dirt is fifth seed Andrey Rublev. In the absence of a big name in his quarter, however, he will be sensing an opportunity at this year's Monte-Carlo Masters.

The first test for the Russian should come in the third round, against either countryman Karen Khachanov or 2022 Monte-Carlo Masters finalist Alejandro Davidovich Fokina. Rublev has never lost to Fokina, but Khachanov's powerful game could be a cause for worry for the seventh seed.

With Casper Ruud, the other big name in the quarter, struggling for match wins, the path looks relatively clear for whoever manages to come out of Rublev's section.

Andy Murray, who looms in Ruud's section, may also be looking to play spoilsport to one of the big names, starting with opening-round opponent Alex de Minaur.

Prediction: Karen Khachanov def. Alex de Minaur

4th quarter: Stefanos Tsitsipas faces Taylor Fritz test in Monte-Carlo Masters title defense

Taylor Fritz will look to derail Stefanos Tsitsipas' Monte Carlo Masters title defense.

Top seeds: [2] Stefanos Tsitsipas, [8] Taylor Fritz, [12] Frances Tiafoe, [15] Borna Coric

Dark horse: Stan Wawrinka

Stefanos Tsitsipas has not lost a match at the Monte-Carlo Masters since 2021. Looking to make it three in a row, the Greek will open his title defense with a second-round encounter against either Benjamin Bonzi or Bernabe Zapata Miralles.

Expected to come through unscathed, the Greek could then run into the big-hitting Borna Coric. Also looking to dethrone Tsitsipas in the last quarter is the American duo of Taylor Fritz and Frances Taifoe.

Provided that the duo can pass potential early tests against Stan Wawrinka and Grigor Dimitrov respectively, fans can expect a cracking fourth round encounter — with the winner then finding themselves in with a chance to end Tsitsipas' Monte-Carlo Masters reign.

Prediction: Tsitsipas def. Taylor Fritz