Daniil Medvedev, the 2021 champion, will need to shake off a run of poor form if he is to mount a challenge.
'It'll also be difficult for him, tennis requires that competitive rhythm, but Rafa is Rafa, even if he arrives without many matches, he'll surely show a spectacular level.'
Alexander Zverev has proven himself as the best of tennis' new generation of men's players
Seven-times champion Novak Djokovic produced some of his best tennis to outclass Italian 25th seed Lorenzo Musetti 6-4, 7-6(2), 6-4 on Friday and reach a 10th Wimbledon final on Friday.
Nadal was much more than a claycourt bully, though. He spent more than 900 successive weeks from 2005 in the ATP's top 10, 209 of them at number one and at the age of 24 became the youngest player to complete the career Grand Slam.
Novak Djokovic marched into the semis of the Dubai Tennis Championship, with a comfortable win over Hubert Hurkacz.
The 21-year-old has now recorded victories over all of tennis's so called 'Big Three' this year, having beaten Roger Federer at the Australian Open and Rafa Nadal in Madrid.
Sabalenka crashed to a 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-4 defeat to Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva
Casper Ruud has become the first Norwegian to book a place in the season-ending ATP Finals, leaving one spot to be filled at the tournament in Turin, Italy later this month.
There was a back and forth until the Aussie forced the German great into submission.
Top-ranked Iga Swiatek of Poland faces Irina-Camella Begu of Romania in the opening round of the women's draw with second-seeded American Coco Gauff taking on Australian Ajla Tomljanovic.
Although hampered by a chronic foot injury that saw him out in the last 16 of the Italian Open, an event that precedes the French Open, the 21-time Grand Slam champion has looked pain-free in his bid for a 14th French Open crown.
Novak Djokovic's erratic form, Rafael Nadal's fitness woes and untimely injuries to top-ranked youngsters have set up an uncertain French Open men's tournament
The match marked world number two Medvedev's ninth win in a row at the ATP Finals and he improved his head-to-head record over Ruud to 3-0.
Reaching ATP Finals like winning a tournament, says Zverev
Novak Djokovic will prepare for a tilt at an 11th Australian Open title by representing Serbia at the United Cup mixed team tournament while old rival Rafael Nadal and former women's world number one Naomi Osaka return at Brisbane after time away.
Andy Murray claimed the biggest win of his comeback and a place in the last 16 of the Western and Southern Open on Monday by taking out self-destructing fifth seed Alexander Zverev 6-3, 3-6, 7-5.
Lorenzo Musetti faces seven-times Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals.
Images from Day 1 at the Australian Open.
However, the 33-year-old Spaniard will not know until later on Friday whether his Herculean effort was in vain.
Zverev had surgery on torn ligaments in his right ankle this month after he was forced to retire from his French Open semi-final against Rafael Nadal.
Kyrgios shot back at Coric, saying he "should care" about his comments.
Serbia's Novak Djokovic beat Italy's Lorenzo Musetti 6-4 6-2 to reach his first Olympic final on Friday and will bid for gold in a blockbuster clash with Carlos Alcaraz.
Wild card Caroline Wozniacki, another former champion and returning mother, will play 20th seed Magda Linette.
Federer's hard-fought 6-7 (5), 7-6 (8), 10-7 victory over American John Isner put the Europeans just three points from their victory target and Zverev got them there with a 6-7 (3), 7-5, 10-7 win over Kevin Anderson.
Daniil Medvedev said his on-court outbursts at Indian Wells were a distraction to even himself and he should just focus on playing.
World number five Roger Federer delivered a tennis masterclass to beat rising star Alexander Zverev 6-1, 6-3 and clinch a record ninth Halle Open title on Sunday as he lay down a marker in the lead-up to Wimbledon.
Russian Andrey Rublev has become the fifth singles player to qualify for the season-ending ATP Finals in Turin next month, the men's tour said.
World No 55 Haase improved to a 2-2 career record against Zverev, including victories in their last two meetings.
Daniil Medvedev was philosophical about his loss to Jannik Sinner in Sunday's Australian Open final, rationalising that at least he had made it to the title-decider and not crashed out in an earlier round.
Jannik Sinner won his maiden Grand Slam title at the Australian Open on Sunday.
Images from the French Open quarter-final between Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic at Roland Garros on Tuesday.
Masks were required and high-fives banned, with signs reminding those in attendance to maintain proper social distancing.
Nadal, bidding for a record-extending 14th French Open title, won the first five games of the match as he looked on course to repeat his drubbing of the Serb in last year's final.
World number one Rafael Nadal has been drawn alongside defending champion Alexander Zverev, Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) reported.
World number one Carlos Alcaraz is the new big thing in men's tennis but says Novak Djokovic remains the favourite.
Alexander Zverev is a potential superstar who bears comparison not only with his fellow German Boris Becker but also the great American singer Bob Dylan.
Summary of sports events and persons who made news on Thursday
The victory saw him move up by three places to stand only behind Spain's Rafael Nadal and Swiss star Roger Federer.
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