Geneva Open 2024 Draw: Novak Djokovic's projected path to the final ft. potential R2 showdown with Andy Murray and SF with Taylor Fritz

World No. 1 Novak Djokovic has taken a wildcard into next week's Geneva Open. While he rarely competes in a tournament a week before a Major, he's in need of some additional matches.

Djokovic started the clay season on a positive note, making the semifinals of the Monte-Carlo Masters. He opted to skip the Madrid Open before participating in the Italian Open. He was stunned by Alejandro Tabilo in the third round, though, failing to create a break point opportunity in an error-strewn performance.

Djokovic's decision to play in Geneva could pay off handsomely. He won the Belgrade Open in 2021, which was a week before the French Open. He went on to capture his second title in Paris, completing a double career Grand Slam with the win.

The Serb has received a first-round bye as the top seed at the Geneva Open. Here's a look at the players he will have to go through to capture his first title of the season:

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Possible R2 opponent - Andy Murray/Yannick Hanfmann

Djokovic could face his old rival Murray in the second round. The latter is playing for the first time since his third-round exit from the Miami Open. With this being his first match on clay in 2024, coupled with his 5-8 record for the season, this highly anticipated match-up may not materialize.

Should the two meet, it will be their 37th career meeting, with the rivalry leaning 25-11 in Djokovic's favor. Their previous matchup saw Murray giving Djokovic a walkover at the 2022 Madrid Open.

Hanfmann, meanwhile, hasn't set the tour on fire with his results either, compiling a 9-13 record. He has won five matches on clay this season, but only two of them have come during the European clay swing. The Serb will be expected to win regardless of who's on the other side of the net.

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Possible quarterfinal opponent - Denis Shapovalov/Tallon Griekspoor

Denis Shapovalov at the 2024 Madrid Open

Shapovalov's comeback garnered some momentum, as he made the third round of the Miami Open and the Madrid Open. However, he bowed out in the first round of the Italian Open.

Meanwhile, Griekspoor's best result during this clay season has been a fourth-round finish at the Madrid Open. He crashed out of the Italian Open without winning a match.

Djokovic has won all eight of his previous matches against Shapovalov, losing just two sets. He's unbeaten against Griekspoor as well, winning all three of their encounters. The World No. 1 will start as the favorite against either of them.

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Possible semifinal opponent - Taylor Fritz

Fritz has stepped up his game on clay this year. He reached his first final on the surface at the BMW Open and followed it up with a semifinal in Madrid and a quarterfinal in Rome.

This is Fritz's best opportunity to secure his first win over Djokovic. The Serb has a 9-0 winning record in the rivalry, with seven of them coming in straight sets. Should the American falter early, Jack Draper is another potential candidate to make the last-four from this section.

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Possible opponent in the final - Casper Ruud/Ben Shelton

Casper Ruud at the 2024 Barcelona Open.

Ruud started the clay season on a strong note but has slowed down in recent weeks. He reached the semifinals of the Estoril Open and went a step further at the Monte-Carlo Masters, losing to Stefanos Tsitsipas in the final.

Ruud continued his upward trajectory, as he made the final of the Barcelona Open, beating Tsitsipas to claim the biggest title of his career. He was knocked out in the fourth round of the Madrid Open and failed to win a match at the Italian Open.

After losing his first five matches against Djokovic, Ruud nabbed his first win over the Serb at the Monte-Carlo Masters a few weeks ago. He will fancy his chances of another win over the 24-time Major champion.

Meanwhile, Shelton captured his first title on clay in Houston at the start of the clay season. He made the third round in Madrid and Rome and also reached the semifinals in doubles at the latter event.

The American could make the final from the bottom half if Ruud goes out early. Fabian Marozsan and Sebastian Baez are two other players who could reach the final as well.