Predicted Winners in BOLD

These two matches should be quite interesting and entertaining.

 

Court Philippe Chatrier (2 p.m. start)

[2] Novak Djokovic (SRB) vs [8] Milos Raonic (CAN) – I think Nole will win to get that out of the way, but Milos Raonic’s 2014 clay court season has been a period in which his game and standing within the game have both taken a leap forward.  I think Raonic has to draw confidence from Rome, but a 3 out of 5 set tilt is a different animal.  If Raonic makes Nole feel helpless due to a huge serve, he has a puncher’s chance.  I think Novak will be ready as he rose to the occasion versus Cilic and Tsonga.

Court Suzanne Lenglen

[6] Tomas Berdych (CZE) vs [18] Ernests Gulbis (LAT) – Berdych does everything as well or better than Gulbis except for two key things: natural movement and hitting backhands.  I think Gulbis riding an 8 match winning streak on clay plays in his favor as well.  On another surface, I’d pick Berdych, but on clay I think Gulbis’ ability to improvise in terms of his movement makes enough of a difference to leave the Latvian as the slight favorite to reach the semifinal round.  Also, the Gulbis backhand is nasty.