Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic on course for Monte Carlo showdown
Sunday 10 April 2016 20:58, UK
Roger Federer will hope to complete his return from injury at the Monte Carlo Masters live on Sky Sports this week having been placed in the same half of the draw as Novak Djokovic.
The Swiss superstar was scheduled to return at the Miami Masters but illness forced him to pull out of his second round encounter with Juan Martin Del Potro.
Federer has been seeded third and will face either Guillermo Garcia-Lopez or Tomaz Bellucci in the second round as he chases a first ever Monte Carlo crown having lost in four finals in the principality.
However the 34-year-old, who has not played since the Australian Open semi-final defeat to Djokovic, will have to overcome the formidable world number one having been placed in the same half of the draw as the Serb.
"I've played very well in Monaco in the past, but for now my objective is to make my return to play, gain a good feel and go from there," Federer said.
"My knee hasn't bothered me, but the big test will be seeing how it reacts in match conditions.
"There are no easy draws in a Masters 1000, so I am not underestimating anyone. At the same time, I hope no one is underestimating me just because I've been hurt."
Djokovic has won the opening two Masters events of the year in Miami and Indian Wells and will hope to add the first clay 1000 Series title of the year to his recording breaking list of Masters crowns having overtaken Rafa Nadal's total of 27 with his win in Florida.
The 28-year-old has won two of the last three Monte Carlo events having needed three sets to see off Tomas Berdych in last year's final - he will face either Jiri Vesely or Teymuraz Gabashvili in his second round match with Gael Monfils and David Ferrer lurking in a tricking quarter.
In the other half of the draw, Andy Murray will be seeking an improved showing having slipped to second round defeat in Indian Wells (v Federico Delbonis) and a third round exit in Miami (v Grigor Dimitrov) - his first events since becoming a father and defeat in the Australian Open final to Djokovic.
The world No 2 could face Guido Pella in the second round if the Argentine clay-court specialist comes through a first round match against a qualifier while Milos Raonic or Berdych are likely to await in the quarter-finals.
Clay-court titan Nadal is the most likely semi-final opponent for Murray, the world No 5 has a formidable record on the red dirt with nine French Open titles and eight consecutive crowns in Monte Carlo.
Nadal's eight-year run ended in 2012 and his last final in the principality was in 2013 when he lost to Djokovic, the Spaniard will face either Lukas Rosol or British number two Aljaz Bedene in the second round while 2014 champion Stan Wawrinka is a likely quarter-final opponent.
Action in the main draw begins on Sunday with the first round matches getting underway before the big guns enter at the second round stage.
You can follow all the action on Sky Sports 1 HD on Monday with coverage getting underway at 9.30am.
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