The draw of the first ATP1000 of the clay court season is out, and Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic, and Rafael Nadal are the clear favorites.
Murray
Andy seems to have recovered from his elbow injury, and he had a good draw to possibly play Robredo (not in his top form), Ramos-Vinolas, Cilic or Berdych (none of them clay court specialists), and possibly Wawrinka in the semi-final. Andy has a 1-3 record on clay against the Swiss.
Djokovic
Nole is trying to bounce back from a disastrous start of the season. The world no.2 should play Simon, Carreno Busta (or Fognini) in the first two matches. Then he might have a tough test in the quarters when he might play Thiem. In the semi-final, he is expected to face Nadal (or Dimitrov).
Nadal
Seeded no.4, Rafa has the feeling that he can perform pretty well during this clay court season. The Spanish legend had terrible draw to possibly play Alexander Zverev in the 3rd round (he struggles with the German), Dimitrov in the quarters, and Djokovic in the semi-final
… and Wawrinka?
Stan is always flying below the radar. The Swiss had a bad draw to possibly play Vesely, Cuevas, Tsonga/Pouille, and Murray in the semi-final.
The defending champion is Nadal that has already won this tournament 9 times.
THE DRAW
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