Preview: Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters

City: Monte Carlo, Monaco
Surface: Outdoor Clay
Championship Points: 1000
2008 Singles Champion: Rafael Nadal
2008 Doubles Champions: Rafael Nadal/Tommy Robredo

World No. 1 Rafael Nadal will be in action to defend the title. Should the Spaniard win the tournament, this would be his fifth consecutive Monte Carlo title, a tournament record. In order to achieve this feat, he will have to get past a few people. Aside from Nadal, the usual suspects are always contenders.

Now that Roger Federer is back in contention, he has a good chance of advancing to the final. His half of the draw is chalked full of the top Spaniards and Djokovic, so it will be no cakewalk for him to get there.
Novak Djokovic is in a slump but showed promise in Miami when he knocked off Federer in the semifinals. He could meet Federer again in the semifinals. If he is in good form, he could upset Federer again.

Andy Murray is always in the mix, but clay is his weakest surface. He hired Alex Corretja to work with him during the clay court season. Murray could meet Nadal in the semifinals. The Scotsman though has never been passed the round of 16 in an ATP tournament on clay, but there is always a first time for everything.

Spaniards David Ferrer, Tommy Robredo and Nicolas Almagro could cause a lot of damage. Robredo is already having particularly good year with two clay tournaments under his belt. Almagro won one clay tournament this year. Verdasco could be a threat but has yet to breakthrough after showing promise in the Australian Open. All of these players are in Federer’s side of the draw.

As for the Musketeers, Gilles Simon and Gael Monfils are scheduled to play. Gasquet pulled out of the tournament with a shoulder injury, and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga is not scheduled to play. Simon and Monfils have been pretty underwhelming this year. Simon, in particular, has struggled early this year. He did beat Federer twice last year and leads their matchup 2-0. Simon could meet the Big Swiss Cheese in the quarterfinals. Let’s hope this is the week Simon gets back on track.

The Argentines are also capable of mixing it up. Juan Martin Del Potro and David Nalbandian could be trouble for Nadal, as they are in his half. Del Potro beat Nadal for the first time in the semifinals of Miami. This tournament is on clay, so I am sure Nadal will be exacting some street justice on Del Potro in the quarterfinals as payback.

Despite all of the contenders in the field, Nadal should be able to take the title if he is healthy.

Tournament Draw
Singles / Doubles

Tournament Malfeasance
Singles First Round
Feliciano Lopez vs. David Ferrer
Jeremy Chardy vs. Juan Monaco

Doubles First Round
F. Lopez/F. Verdasco vs. M. Safin/I. Andreev
D. Ferrer/N. Almagro vs. M. Cilic/N. Kiefer

(images: Getty Images)