Projected Winners in BOLD

There is a slate of interesting matches for all three events.  Here are my picks:

Barcelona

1 Rafael Nadal vs. 9 Fernando Verdasco – Rafa should win this match in a fairly straightforward manner.  Verdasco did stage a classic with Nadal at the 2009 Australian Open, but I would be shocked if Verdasco offered that much resistance in 2012.

3 David Ferrer vs. 11 Milos Raonic – Milos’ serve is the biggest weapon possessed by the three semifinalists not named Rafa.  It takes weapons to beat Rafa, and I would love to see that final (one in which I would pick Rafa to win), but I think Ferrer advances.

Stuttgart

1 Victoria Azarenka vs. 4 Agnieszka Radwanska – I could say law of averages makes Aga due for a win vs. Vika, but I will stick with the world number one to advance.

 2 Maria Sharapova vs. 3 Petra Kvitova – I think Petra is the more natural athlete and on clay that makes a big difference.

Bucharest

1 Gilles Simon vs. Matthias Bachinger – Simon continues his Monte Carlo form with a win.

Fabio Fognini vs. Attila Balazs – Fognini is a solid clay court player so I expect him to advance.