Andy Murray to face Fabio Fognini in Italian Open first round, Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz learn draws
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Updated 08/05/2023 at 20:51 GMT
Andy Murray will face Fabio Fognini for the first time since 2019 in the first round of the Italian Open this week. Murray is looking to build momentum ahead of the French Open after winning a title on the ATP Challenger Tour. Novak Djokovic is returning to action in Rome where he will be defending champion, while Carlos Alcaraz is aiming for a third title in a row.
Borg backs Alcaraz to be No. 1 for 'many years', hopes for Nadal French Open comeback
Andy Murray has been handed a tricky first-round clash at the Italian Open against home favourite Fabio Fognini.
Murray won his first title in almost four years with a comeback victory over Tommy Paul at Open Aix-en-Provence on Sunday.
But he has lost two of his last three meetings against Fognini, including when they met most recently in Shanghai in 2019.
Murray, who is up to No. 42 in the world rankings following his title success, would face 30th seed Miomir Kecmanovic if he beats Fognini.
World No. 1 Novak Djokovic is also on Murray’s half of the draw as he makes his return after missing the Madrid Open with injury.
Djokovic will open against either Luca Van Assche or Tomas Martin Etcheverry.
He could then face either Grigor Dimitrov or Stan Wawrinka in the third round. British No. 1 Cameron Norrie and world No. 7 Holger Rune are also in Djokovic’s quarter.
Carlos Alcaraz is on the other half of the draw as he looks for a third tournament win in a row.
The 20-year-old, who won the Breakthrough of the Year award at the Laureus World Sports Awards, is assured of taking over from Djokovic as world No. 1 after the Italian Open as long as he plays a match.
He opens against either Italian Francesco Passaro or Albert Ramos-Vinolas.
Last year’s Rome runner-up Stefanos Tsitsipas is in Alcaraz’s quarter.
The Italian Open is the last big event before the French Open starts on May 28.
Djokovic is the defending champion in Rome but has a 2-2 record on clay this season and hasn’t played since April 21.
Alcaraz, meanwhile, is 29-2 this season and is looking for a fifth title of the year ahead of the French Open.
"I am an ambitious guy and I'm going full for the win in Rome," he said after winning Madrid.
"What I am achieving is something big. I just have won my 10th title, my fourth Masters 1000, back-to-back titles here in Madrid and very close to reclaiming the world No. 1 spot. It's a special moment and I'm very proud of what I am accomplishing. The work I'm putting in."
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