The fifth ATP Masters 1000 tournament of the year has kickstarted in Rome from 14 May and the draw is filled with superstars, including 17 of the top-20.
Defending champion Andy Murray starts as the top seed and the world number one will look to get back to winning ways after exiting Madrid Masters in the R16, which took his season's win-loss record to 16-6.
Six time champion Rafael Nadal is looking primed for success in Rome as he has won three clay court titles on the trot, which has made him favourite to win the French Open title this year.
Murray won the first of his eight titles in Rome last year and the numero uno has a good opportunity to get back to form as he has not been drawn along with Novak Djokovic and Nadal in the upcoming tournament. The Scot finds himself in the first quarter and will open his campaign against local player Fabio Fognini on Tuesday.
Thiem test awaits Nadal
Meanwhile, Nadal is likely to meet his familiar foe Dominic Thiem, whom he defeated in the title matches of Barcelona and Madrid, in the quarter-final and a repeat of Madrid semi-final against Djokovic also awaits him. Heading into the tournament with a 15-0 record on the red dirt this season, it seems unlikely that anyone is going to stop the Spaniard from reigning supreme in Rome as well.
Can Djokovic step up?
Djokovic, on the other hand, has been suffering a title drought ever since he won the season-opening tournament in Doha. The world number two, who split with his coaching team earlier this month, came up with a spirited show in Madrid, but lost to Nadal in the semi-final.
The defending French Open champion will be looking to get some wins under his belt before his title defence begins at this year's Roland Garros. However another stiff test against seventh seed Kei Nishikori in a possible quarter-final fixture awaits the Serb.
Focus will also be on third seed Stan Wawrinka, who has had a quiet season on clay after he started the year on a high with a semi-final appearance at Australian Open.
Seeding information
| 1. Andy Murray |
| 2. Novak Djokovic |
| 3. Stan Wawrinka |
| 4. Rafael Nadal |
| 5. Milos Raonic |
| 6. Marin Cilic |
| 7. Kei Nishikori |
| 8. Dominic Thiem |
| 9. David Goffin |
| 10. Grigor Dimitrov |
| 11. Lucas Pouille |
| 12.Tomas Berdych |
| 13. Jack Sock |
| 14. Albert Ramos-Vinolas |
| 15. Pablo Carreno-Busta |
| 16. Alexander Zverev |
For daily schedule of the tournament, click here.
