2026 Madrid Open Men’s Draw: Preview and Prediction Featuring Jannik Sinner, Alexander Zverev, Ben Shelton, Casper Ruud

Jannik Sinner will be bidding to win his fourth Masters 1000 title at the Madrid Open. His victory will help him increase the ranking lead between him and Carlos Alcaraz.

The Spaniard had skipped the tournament last year due to an injury, and this year as well, he withdrew because of a wrist injury he suffered during the Barcelona Open. Novak Djokovic at first confirmed his participation, but he deemed it best to skip it due to physical problems.

Tournament Details

• Tournament: 2026 Madrid Open
• Defending Champion: Casper Ruud
• Date: April 22 – May 3
• No. of Entrants: 96 (Singles)
• Venue: Park Manzanares
• Surface: Outdoor clay court
• Total Prize Money Pool: $9.7 million (approximately)

Top seeds at the 2026 Madrid Open

• Jannik Sinner
• Alexander Zverev
• Felix Auger-Aliassime
• Ben Shelton
• Alex de Minaur
• Lorenzo Musetti
• Daniil Medvedev
• Alexander Bublik
• Andrey Rublev
• Flavio Cobolli
• Jiri Lehecka

First quarter

Jannik Sinner will headline this quarter. The Italian ace will be chasing his fourth title of the season after wins at the Indian Wells, Miami Open, and the Monte-Carlo Masters.

The second half of this quarter features Joao Fonseca. Cameron Norrie or Tommy Paul could meet Sinner in the third round. This quarter also has Arthur Rinderknech, Andrey Rublev, and Alex de Minaur.

Quarterfinal prediction: Jannik Sinner vs. Joao Fonseca

Second quarter

Ben Shelton, fresh off his victory at the Munich Open, could face Matteo Berrettini in his campaign opener. The third round in this quarter could see a clash between Barcelona Open champion Arthur Fils and 2025 Shanghai Masters champion Valentin Vacherot.

The other seeded players in this quarter are: Tomas Martin Etcheverry, Jiri Lehecka, Alex Michelsen, Tallon Griekspoor, and Lorenzo Musetti. Lehecka has already played a Masters 1000 final this season. In Miami, he lost the title to Sinner.

Quarterfinal prediction: Ben Shelton vs. Lorenzo Musetti

Third quarter

Stefanos Tsitsipas, now a World No.80 player, has not received a first-round bye. If he reaches the second round, he will play Andrey Rublev.

This quarter also features Casper Ruud. The Norwegian ace could face Felix Auger-Aliassime in the third round. Corentin Moutet, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Francisco Cerundolo, Luciano Darderi, and Brandon Nakashima are also a part of this quarter.

Quarterfinal prediction: Casper Ruud vs. Felix Auger-Aliassime

Fourth quarter

Daniil Medvedev will headline this quarter. He was last seen in action in the opening round of the Monte-Carlo Masters, where he registered a double bagel defeat at the hands of Berrettini.

Alexander Zverev is a part of the second half of this quarter. He could face Medvedev if they both reach the fourth round.

Quarterfinal prediction: Alexander Zverev vs. Daniil Medvedev

Semifinals

Sinner holds a 9-1 head-to-head record over Shelton, with the lone victory that the American ace registered was in the fourth round of the 2023 Shanghai Masters. While Sinner has never progressed past the quarterfinals in Madrid, Shelton has never reached the fourth round.

But Zverev is a two-time champion and also reached the final in 2022. Ruud will be entering the tournament as the defending champion. Last year, he defeated Jack Draper.

Semifinal prediction:

• Jannik Sinner vs. Ben Shelton
• Alexander Zverev vs. Casper Ruud

Final

Sinner holds a 9-4 head-to-head edge over Sascha and has defeated him in their last eight meetings. The Italian is on a 22-match winning streak in Masters 1000 events.

Zverev has yet to taste success this season. The last time he won a title was at the 2025 Munich Open but he lost to eventual runner-up Flavio Cobolli in the semifinal this year.

• Final prediction: Jannik Sinner vs. Alexander Zverev
• Winner prediction: Jannik Sinner

Also read: Flavio Cobolli Urges His Girlfriend to ‘Stay Home’ After Losing Munich Open Final