The 2012 China Open draw was made on Saturday. The event begins on Monday October 1, and features three players from the ATP’s top 10. Two-time former champion Novak Djokovic is seeded no.1.
World no.2 is making his third appearance at the ATP World Tour 500 tournament in Beijing.
Nole lifted the trophy on his debut in the capital of China in 2009 (defeated Marin Cilic), and successfully defended the title in 2010 (defeated David Ferrer).
The 25-year-old Serbian tennis star skipped the event last year due to injury.
Djokovic will face German qualifier Michael Berrer in the opening round. Match is scheduled on Tuesday about 17.00 local time (11.00 CET).
Novak has not played since finishing runner-up to Andy Murray in a five-set finale at the US Open last month.
“I’m ready to play. I want to play. I have been practising and preparing for a good performance,” said Djokovic.
Nole’s second round opponent will be the winner of the clash between Australian Marinko Matosevic and Argentine Carlos Berlocq.
His possible rivals in the later stages of the tournament are:
Quarter-finals: Alexandr Dolgopolov (UKR, 6), Jurgen Melzer (AUT)
Semi-finals: Marin Cilic (CRO, 4), Richard Gasquet (FRA, 5)
Spaniard David Ferrer is no.2 seed, and Nole can’t meet him before the finals. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA, 3), Tommy Haas (GER, 7), Fernando Verdasco (ESP, 8)…are also in the bottom half of the draw.
Winner of the tournament in Beijing will get 500 ATP points.
Photo: China Open
