The main tournament of the Monte-Carlo Masters Series, presented by Rolex, opened yesterday on the azure clay courts with the victory of Germany’s Nicolas Kiefer over Croatian Cilic (3/6, 7/6, 6/3). The match ended in the rain, similar to the last qualifying matches. Despite the weather forecast, numerous spectators gathered at the Monte-Carlo Country Club to watch what remains one of the most important competitions of the season for circuit players.
For Richard Gasquet, it’s clear: “This is my favorite tournament, it’s very important to me. I would even say it is crucial. Besides, I am doing alright now, though I have felt better before. In any case, the injury has healed.” The player from Béziers was suffering from a blister and a knee issue that had kept him out of the Davis Cup matches on Friday against the United States, which later stirred some controversy in the media. The French number one wanted to play the fifth match, against James Blake, which could have been decisive instead of facing Andy Roddick.
Paul-Henri Mathieu discounts this crisis: “There was never a problem with Richard. I regret nothing about what happened in Winston Salem. I had a great week with the French team.”
The player from Strasbourg now prefers to focus on the Monte-Carlo tournament which he does not intend to underestimate: “It’s a preparation for Roland Garros, I’ll try to find my bearings. It’s true that it’s difficult because I have only three days on clay but I’ll do my best. If I can win a few matches, it should be alright.”
The top players on the circuit are also happy to start this clay season, like Novak Djokovic. The Serb is confident at the beginning of the first major competition on this surface: “I feel good, I feel strong. I love being in Monte-Carlo. It’s really something special with an audience coming from all over Europe. On clay, I must not change my game too much, otherwise it’s bad, but obviously, the approach is different since it’s a slower surface. Anyway, it’s a good test before Rome, Hamburg, and especially Roland Garros. But I am more confident, stronger than last year. It should be alright.” The world’s third-ranked player, a hard court specialist, will have a lot to handle right from the start of this Masters Series. Indeed, he will face either Gustavo Kuerten (“He is a former world number one. It’s always tough against him, especially since he’s better on clay. He will try to achieve good results for his last season on the circuit.”) or Ivan Ljubicic (“He has a strong serve, he was third. Even though he has not been doing well for six months, I expect a tough match if I have to play against him.”). However, he has had an excellent start to the season, leading the Race ranking (which counts tournaments since the beginning of the year). He will therefore seek to consolidate his position while continuing to score points as he knows how to do. Clearly, Novak Djokovic enters the clay court tournaments in a position of strength.
However, what will happen in a competition that has belonged to Rafael Nadal for three years?
MONDAY, APRIL 21 MATCHES
CENTER COURT
[13] J Ferrero (ESP) vs M Llodra (FRA)
F Lopez (ESP) vs [14] A Murray (GBR)
J Tipsarevic (SRB) vs [9] P Mathieu (FRA)
[WC] G Kuerten (BRA) vs I Ljubicic (CRO)
[WC] G Couillard (MON) / J Lisnard (MON) vs R Nadal (ESP) / T Robredo (ESP)
COURT OF PRINCES
F Santoro (FRA) vs [Q] K Vliegen (BEL)
N Mahut (FRA) vs F Volandri (ITA)
[Q] N Lapentti (ECU) vs P Starace (ITA)
G Monfils (FRA) vs F Verdasco (ESP)
P Hanley (AUS) / L Paes (IND) vs D Nalbandian (ARG) / S Prieto (ARG)
COURT 2
[Q] I Minar (CZE) vs [WC] M Ancic (CRO)
T Haas (GER) vs [Q] O Rochus (BEL)
[10] C Moya (ESP) vs S Querrey (USA)
N Djokovic (SRB) / R Stepanek (CZE) vs J Kerr (AUS) / R Wassen (NED)
COURT 9
R Stepanek (CZE) vs R Soderling (SWE)
[16] P Kohlschreiber (GER) vs J Acasuso (ARG)
