2024 Geneva Open Wednesday Schedule and Preview featuring Novak Djokovic, Casper Ruud and Taylor Fritz

The schedule for Wednesday, May 22nd, of the ATP 250 Geneva Open has been unveiled, with Novak Djokovic's debut taking center stage. The world No. 1 will kick off his campaign against Yannik Hanfmann in his final stop before the French Open.

But Djokovic won't be the only star of the day, as other favorites like Casper Ruud, Taylor Fritz, and Sebastian Baez will also be gracing the courts in pursuit of a spot in the tournament's quarterfinals.

After a somewhat rocky start to the year, Djokovic had hoped for better results during the clay-court swing, but thus far, he has fallen short of expectations. With a 4-2 record on the surface this year, the Serbian ace suffered defeats in the semifinals of the Monte-Carlo Masters and in the Round of 32 at the Rome Open. Currently, he sits at a modest 14th position in the ATP Race rankings.

Still searching for his top form, Djokovic (No. 1) made a last-minute entry into the Geneva Open and will be looking to find his rhythm in his opener against Yannik Hanfmann (No. 85), who notably ousted three-time Grand Slam champion Andy Murray (No. 75) by a score of 7-5, 6-2 in a rain-interrupted duel that spanned two days.

Djokovic isn't the only player making his debut, as the second seed Casper Ruud (No. 7)will take on Austrian Sebastian Ofner (No. 45). Ruud commenced the clay swing with a runner-up finish in Monte-Carlo and a title triumph at the Barcelona Open, but failed to replicate his success in Madrid and Rome.

Nevertheless, the Norwegian stands a good chance of accruing match wins to hit peak form for Roland Garros, where he has reached two finals and will undoubtedly be a force to reckon with.

American Taylor Fritz (No. 12) will face off against his 19-year-old compatriot Alex Michelsen (No. 65). Fritz has displayed consistency during the clay swing with a 10-4 record, progressing to the latter stages in his last three tournaments. Meanwhile, fifth seed Sebastian Baez (No. 20), a clay-court specialist, will take on Spain's Roberto Carballes Baena (No. 62).

Rounding off the day's action will be wildcard entry Denis Shapovalov (No. 123), who has been climbing up the rankings in recent months and is gradually showcasing his abilities to reclaim a spot among the elite on the Tour. The Canadian will lock horns with sixth seed Tallon Griekspoor (No. 27), with no prior encounters between the two recorded.