Predicted Winners in BOLD

There are some great matches on this schedule

[12] Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) vs Mikhail Youzhny (RUS) H2H – Youzhny is not the ideal first match for anyone coming off of a string of big wins.  Youzhny has a lot of game and has been in big situations throughout his career.  Still, Tsonga has to be the favorite to win this match.  On momentum alone, he should be fired up heading into this match.

[1] Novak Djokovic (SRB) vs Gilles  Simon (FRA)  – Simon is the classic tricky opponent.  He is consistent, he competes hard while seeming to be nonchalant, and he can sneak a big shot into a rally at an unexpected moment.  Nole needs to amass a few computer points in Cincinnati to take advantage of Nadal’s absence.  I think Nole will win, but Nole will face a tough moment in at least one of the two or three sets of this match.

[14] Marin Cilic (CRO) vs Feliciano Lopez (ESP) – Two of the top 10 players in my power ranking clash in an early match in Cincinnati.  Cilic has the more complete game, but Lopez being a lefty who has won 16 of his last 19 matches.

[3] Stan Wawrinka (SUI) vs [Q] Benjamin Becker (GER) H2H – Stan needs to be playing at a high level to avoid an upset.

[Q] Benoit Paire (FRA) vs [WC] Steve Johnson (USA) H2H – The NCAA hero could win this match, but Paire is the favorite.

Guillermo Garcia-Lopez (ESP) vs [Q] James Ward (GBR) H2H – Ward should be match tough coming through the qualifying rounds, but I think GGL is too solid for him.

Dominic Thiem (AUT) vs [WC] Robby Ginepri (USA) H2H – Ginepri is a veteran who won two titles in Indianapolis (when it had an ATP event).  Ginepri’s best success has been on hard courts leading into the US Open.  Thiem is a very young gun.  I think the youngster will find a way to overcome the experience deficit due to his talent surplus.  Still, this is a great opportunity for Ginepri to win and pick up some needed ranking points.

[9] Ernests Gulbis (LAT) vs Ivan Dodig (CRO) – Gulbis had a great early year and clay court swing that culminated in a Roland Garros semifinal finish.  Since then … Dodig is a good player who will win unless Ernests shows up.

Julien Benneteau (FRA) vs [LL] Blaz Rola (SLO) H2H – I’d love to pick Blaz, but I’ll take the all-court man from France.

Vasek Pospisil (CAN) vs Radek Stepanek (CZE) H2H – The worm will probably find a way to advance.

[13] Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP) vs Martin Klizan (SVK) H2H – Agut will need to take care of his serve.  This is a 50-50 match.

Santiago Giraldo (COL) vs Andreas Seppi (ITA) H2H – Giraldo has had a nice 2014, but Seppi is no slouch.