Novak Djokovic and Dominic Thiem Face Tough Paths in a Blockbuster Draw at ATP Vienna Open

ATP Vienna Open released its draw and we are in for a brilliant treat as the ATP 500 tournament begins next week. World No.1 Novak Djokovic makes a return to Vienna after 13 years. Challenging him is the defending champion and 2nd seed, Dominic Thiem.

Given the absurd 2020 season and the tournament’s placement, this year’s draw features six top 10 players from the ATP rankings. Hence, the tournament can have some strong matchups in the early rounds itself. The top four seeds in Vienna are Novak Djokovic, Dominic Thiem, Stefanos Tsitsipas, and Daniil Medvedev.

ATP Vienna Open Draw: Top Seed Novak Djokovic returns to Vienna

The Serbian, in his return to Vienna, will face fellow countryman Filip Krajinovic in the first round. Djokovic is projected to face 2019 runner-up Diego Schwartzman in the quarterfinals. Schwartzman has been in great form recently and could trouble the Serbian. Later, we might see a rematch of French Open 2020 semifinal as Tsitsipas and Djokovic can face off in the semis.

The ATP Vienna Open is important for Djokovic as he looks to seal his World No.1 ranking. Djokovic will add points in Vienna and this could help him with his quest towards the year-end World No.1 and the most number of weeks at the top of the ranking charts.

ATP Vienna Open Draw: Dominic Thiem’s path towards defending his title

Thiem faces a tricky challenge in the first round against resurgent Kei Nishikori. The Austrian could face fiery Russian Andrey Rublev in the quarterfinals. Rublev has won the joint-most titles in 2020 and recently won in St. Petersburg. A potential rematch of US Open 2020 semifinal is on cards as Medvedev and Thiem could meet at the semifinal.

Being the home tournament for Thiem and also being the defending champion, a lot will be expected from the 2020 US Open champ.

ATP Vienna Open Draw: Stefanos Tsitsipas’ road towards a first Vienna title

Tsitsipas will begin his journey in Vienna against Jan Lennard Struff. He could face young Canadian Denis Shapovalov in the quarterfinals. Tsitsipas finds himself on the left side of the draw with Novak Djokovic.

2020 has been a flat year by Tsitsipas’ standards but he lifted his performance recently as he reached the semifinals of French Open 2020. The Greek ace will look towards a strong tournament after his return to the top five of the ATP rankings.

ATP Vienna Open Draw: Daniil Medvedev’s bid to further add silverware to his cabinet

Medvedev faces young Australian star Alex de Minaur in the first round. Medvedev has a very tough draw to navigate. Later, he could face 2008 Vienna Open runner-up Gael Monfils in the quarterfinals.

2020 has been a downward spiral for the Russian. After multiple title victories and a Grand Slam final in 2019, Medvedev has struggled for consistency this year. With a disappointing title defense at St. Petersburg Open last week, he will look to end the season on a high.

Other notable first-round ties include Grigor Dimitrov taking on Karen Khachanov. Also, two promising youngsters in Casper Ruud and Jannick Sinner will play against each other in the first round.