2024 Geneva Open Thursday Schedule and Preview featuring Djokovic awaiting Shapovalov or Griekspoor and Ruud-Baez

Thursday, 23 May 2024 at 00:30

The schedule for Thursday, May 23rd, of the ATP 250 Geneva Open has been unveiled. Rain prevented the completion of Wednesday's last match between Denis Shapovalov and Tallon Griekspoor, so it will resume in the morning while Novak Djokovic awaits the winner.

With some surprises among the last eight, our preview looks ahead to the quarterfinals and the contenders vying for the title just days before the French Open.

Djokovic still awaits opponent

Rain interrupted the match between Denis Shapovalov (No. 123) and Tallon Griekspoor (No. 27) when the Canadian held the advantage in a tight contest at 7-6(7), 3-3. They will finish the match as the second match on the Center Court, following the doubles clash between Marcelo Arevalo/Mate Pavic and Julian Cash/Robert Galloway.

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Once completed, Alex Michelsen (No. 65) will face Czech Tomas Machac (No. 44). The 19-year-old American secured his second career victory over a top-20 player by surprising Taylor Fritz (No. 12) after saving two match points against him, ultimately winning 4-6, 7-5, 6-0.

As for Machac, he defeated 8th seed Jack Draper (No. 35) in the first round and then young American Nicolas Moreno de Alboran (No. 140). The Czech withdrew at the last moment from the Rome Open due to physical problems and traveled to Geneva in search of better form before Roland Garros.

Djokovic is played his last tournament before the defend of the title at French Open.

In the afternoon, world No. 1 Djokovic will finally return to the court against the winner of Shapovalov/Griekspoor. The 24-time Grand Slam champion debuted with a straight-sets victory over Yannik Hanfmann (No. 85), although he still does not seem to be at his best, having had more than irregular moments in the first half of the second set. The Serbian, who turned 37 on Wednesday, is seeking his third semifinal of the year. In the previous two, he was eliminated.

Tough battle between two favorites

The only seeded match will be between 5th seed Sebastian Baez (No. 20) and second seed Casper Ruud (No. 7). The Argentine started the clay swing with problems, suffering two consecutive first-round defeats, but raised his level in Rome to secure consecutive wins (including against Holger Rune) before falling to Hubert Hurkacz. Baez comes off a straightforward victory against Roberto Carballes Baena with a score of 6-3, 6-0.

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On the Norwegian's side, he turned around a match against Sebastian Ofner (No. 45) and returns to victory after the surprising exit in the debut at the Rome Open against Miomir Kecmanovic (No. 55). Ruud has an impressive clay swing record of 13-4 and will be the favorite as the recent Barcelona Open champion and two-time French Open finalist.

The day concludes with Kazakh Alexander Schevchenko (No. 61), who advanced by walkover after Emil Ruusuvori's withdrawal. He will face Italian Flavio Cobolli, who is in good form after defeating Aslan Karatsev (No. 82) and 4th seed Ben Shelton (No. 15).

Mario Boccardi

@marioboc17

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Revised order of play for tomorrow in Geneva Griekspoor and Shapovalov will end their match not before 13:00 local time The QF between the winner of this match and Djokovic is now scheduled not before 16:00