Predicted Winners in BOLD
Rafael Nadal (ESP) [1] vs. Thanasi Kokkinakis (AUS) – Rafa should win with ease.
Andy Murray (GBR) [4] vs. Vincent Millot (FRA) – Every set Murray gets under his belt, the closer he is to returning to full form.
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) [10] vs. Thomaz Bellucci (BRA) – Bellucci needs a strong showing here or at the French Open this year to recapture the promise he has shown in the past. My guess is that Bellucci won’t get a big showing in Melbourne due to an obviously tough 2nd round draw.
Blaz Kavcic (SLO) vs. Roger Federer (SUI) [6] – With a new racquet and his erratic play during much of 2013, Roger might be susceptible to an upset, but I think he advances. Every match he plays with his new racquet, the closer he will get to the form he is seeking.
Jack Sock (USA) vs. Gael Monfils (FRA) [25] – I think Sock will suffer the fate of Harrison and lose to Monfils.
Benoit Paire (FRA) [27] vs. Nick Kyrgios (AUS) – I guess I am picking all of the seeded players today.
Marin Cilic (CRO) vs. Gilles Simon (FRA) [18] – Simon should grind out a win.
Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP) vs. Juan Martin Del Potro (ARG) [5] – JMDP is one of the few players with a realistic shot at the title.
Andreas Seppi (ITA) [24] vs. Donald Young (USA) – If Seppi can get through Hewitt, I think he gets through Young.
Fernando Verdasco (ESP) [31] vs. Teymuraz Gabashvili (RUS) – I cannot pick all of the seeded players to advance so Hot Sauce gets the negative pick.
Dusan Lajovic (SRB) vs. Kei Nishikori (JPN) [16] – Another upset …
Yen-Hsun Lu (TPE) vs. Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) [22] – Dimitrov needs to win this match to build on his solid 2013.
Stephane Robert (FRA) vs. Michal Przysiezny (POL)
Michael Berrer (GER) vs. Feliciano Lopez (ESP) [26] – If Lopez has to play from the baseline, Berrer will be in command. If Lopez can knock off enough service winner, he could win.
Milos Raonic (CAN) [11] vs. Victor Hanescu (ROU) – This is the type of match that Raonic has to win to be a consistent top 10 player. Hanescu is capable of an upset, but I think Raonic is truly rising.
Blaz Rola (SLO) vs. Martin Klizan (SVK)
Tennis Abides: Dan Martin on Tennis and Life 
I think Cilic will beat Simon big time.
I think the Cilic PED thing and coming back from a suspension is sometimes awkward for a player. Simon did play a very long match and that may cost him a lot. Based on round 1 exertion, I might take Cilic.
Simon won 6-2 in the fifth. I flat out cannot believe it.
I think Cilic will need a few months to get back on track and maybe in the locker room everyone is giving him dirty looks for PEDs who knows?
Forget Cilic’s problems, Simon was on crutches!! And went 16-14 in his first round match!! Where does this guy’s stamina come from???? He’s a freaking twig!
Yeah, I do have Simon’s legs giving out vs. Tsonga, but he is the most tireless and dogged player who looks disinterested on court in history.