Monte-Carlo Masters 2023 Draw: Novak Djokovic's projected path to the final, potential QF clash with Jannik Sinner & SF with Daniil Medvedev

World No. 1 Novak Djokovic returns to action for the first time in a month at the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters, scheduled to take place in Monte Carlo, Monaco, from April 9-16.

It is the first of three big European clay ATP Masters 1000 events of the season. The Serb has lifted the trophy at this picturesque Mediterranean tournament twice in the past, the latest coming in 2015.

Now refreshed and recharged after a long break, Djokovic will go all out to kickstart the clay season in thunderous fashion.

As the top seed, the Australian Open champion has received a bye into the second round. He will now have to play five matches in total to lay his hands on the trophy after eight long years.

On that note, let's take a look at the dangers lurking in Novak Djokovic's path to the final in Monte Carlo as he sets his sights on a third title.

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Novak Djokovic's 2R opponent - Brandon Nakashima/ Mackenzie McDonald

Mackenzie McDonald in action at the 2023 Miami Open

Following a bye in the first round, Novak Djokovic will begin his campaign against the winner of the all-American first-round clash between Brandon Nakashima and Mackenzie McDonald.

McDonald is the lower-ranked of the two, at 55. However, he's had a better season so far, including a win against Rafael Nadal at the Australian Open.

The 27-year-old also reached the semi-finals at Delray Beach and the quarter-finals at Acapulco, amassing a 14-8 win-loss record for the season.

The 44th-ranked Nakashima, on the other hand, has had a disastrous season so far, winning just three out of eight matches.

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Novak Djokovic's likely 3R opponent - Lorenzo Musetti

Musetti in action at the 2023 Miami Open

Sixteenth-seeded Lorenzo Musetti is headed for a third-round collision with the top seed. The young Italian famously led Djokovic by 2-0 at the French Open in 2021 before the Serb made a superb comeback to win three sets on the trot and take home the match.

Djokovic has since gone on to beat Musetti twice more but should be aware of the World No. 21's quality.

That said, Musetti has struggled since guiding Italy to the United Cup final at the start of the year and could find it tough to get past World No. 40 Miomir Kecmanovic in the first round.

Djokovic has an equally flawless 3-0 record over his countryman, so this should be a pretty winnable round for the World No. 1.

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Novak Djokovic's likely quarter-final opponent - Jannik Sinner

Jannik Sinner hits the ball at the 2023 Miami Open

Novak Djokovic's first real test of the week is expected to come in the form of World No. 9 Jannik Sinner in the quarter-finals. The Italian stretched the 22-time Grand Slam champion to five sets in their most recent showdown at Wimbledon last year.

Sinner has also had an excellent season so far. He clinched the title at Montpellier and finished as the runner-up at Rotterdam and Miami, losing to Daniil Medvedev on both occasions. The 21-year-old also made the last four at Indian Wells in what was a brilliant North American swing for him.

With so much momentum behind him, Sinner could give Djokovic a run for his money.

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Novak Djokovic's likely semi-final opponent - Daniil Medvedev/ Holger Rune

Daniil Medvedev with the Miami Open 2023 trophy

Daniil Medvedev, the most in-form man of the season, is likely to lock horns with Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals. The Russian also happens to be the last man to beat the Serb as he sent Djokovic packing 6-4, 6-4 in the Dubai semi-finals in March.

Medvedev has grown from strength to strength in the past couple of months. The former World No. 1 has been on a title-winning spree, adding laurels in Rotterdam, Doha, Dubai, and Miami. Medvedev has lost only once in the last five tournaments, which came in the final at Indian Wells.

Although he looks practically unbeatable at the moment, it needs to be noted that all his accomplishments were on hardcourt and clay remains a challenge for the 27-year-old. But even before he meets Djokovic, Medvedev could have to contend with World No. 8 Holger Rune, who has a 14-7 win-loss record for the year.

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Novak Djokovic's likely final opponent - Stefanos Tsitsipas/ Andrey Rublev

Stefanos Tsitsipas hugs the trophy at the 2022 Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters

Two two-time Monte-Carlo Masters winners could go head-to-head in the final as Djokovic and Stefanos Tsitsipas are likely to face off if the seeds hold up. Tsitsipas has won the last two editions of this ATP Masters 1000 tournament and wouldn't want to give up his crown without a fight.

Having lost the Australian Open final to the same opponent earlier in the year, the Greek will be eyeing revenge. However, his record against the Serb is a dismal 2-11 and the World No. 3 hasn't been at his best since his Melbourne heroics.

Tsitsipas also has the Andrey Rublev threat lurking in his half of the draw. The World No. 6 reached the Dubai final and the Australian Open quarter-finals. He could dash the struggling Tsitsipas' hopes of making it a hat-trick of finals in Monte Carlo.

With Djokovic having a 3-1 edge in his head-to-head record over Rublev, the Russian isn't expected to be much of a worry for the two-time Roland Garros champion.