By Erik Gudris

Photo Credit: Julian Finney/Getty Images

(May 12, 2012) Next week's stop at the Rome Masters will be for many the last tune-up event before Roland Garros kicks off at the end of the month. Some will be very happy to kick the blue clay of Madrid out of their soles while others are hoping to get themselves noticed as true contenders for Paris.

Internazionali BNL d'Italia
ATP Masters 1000
64 Draw
Prize Money: €2,427,975
View Draw Here

Defending champion Novak Djokovic will be looking for his first clay title of the year but more importantly, the World No. 1 is looking to assert himself as the man to beat in Paris after a tumultuous clay-court season so far. After a possible opening round match against Bernard Tomic, Djokovic might face No. 5 seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the quarterfinals, but it's more likely he'll meet Juan Martin Del Potro instead who, with his Estoril title and run to the semis of Madrid, is proving his Roland Garros darkhorse status everyday.

No. 3 seed Roger Federer should cruise into the semifinals though a possible early round match against No. 13 seed Gael Monfils could be, if nothing else, fun to watch. No. 8 seed Janko Tipsarevic who just lost to Federer in Madrid, could be waiting in the quarterfinals, but wouldn't Federer prefer to meet No 9 seed John Isner instead?

After all, it was Federer's loss to Isner in Davis Cup on clay earlier this year that sparked all of the sudden expectations Isner could actually do really well in Paris. But if anyone needs a good week on clay it's Isner himself whose early loss in Madrid had the big American admitting he needed to go back to the drawing board if he has any hope of living up to his recent hype.

The bottom half of the draw sees the return of Andy Murray to action after he withdrew from Madrid. Like Isner, Murray has done ok so far on the clay with two quarterfinal results so far, but he needs to do well in Rome to send a message to the other guys that he can really be a factor in Paris.

Murray might face the always tough David Nalbandian in his first match and could meet No. 6 seed David Ferrer in the quarterfinals. Ferrer lost a bit of a heartbreaker in the Barcelona final against Rafael Nadal and that might be enough inspiration for Ferrer to charge past Murray and reach the semis in order to face Nadal again.

Speaking of Nadal, who is probably thrilled to be back on red clay again after his unexpected early exit in Madrid, he'll be looking to take back the title from Djokovic he lost last year. Nadal has several of the "big men" in his section, with a potential early round clash with Milos Raonic.

If Nadal presses past the young Canadian, he could get either Marin Cilic or No. 7 Tomas Berdych in the last eight. Berdych might run out of fumes after reaching the Madrid finals so expect Cilic, who has resurrected his season with several good results, to reach the quarters.

Bottom line: Djokovic and Nadal after the controversy of Madrid, will want to win Rome, proving that they alone are the ones to beat in Paris. Expect an intense three set final similar to the one that they played last year.

Semifinals: Federer v. Djokovic/Ferrer v. Nadal
Finals: Nadal defeats Djokovic