Predicted Winners in BOLD

What a picturesque venue

[7] Stan Wawrinka (SUI) vs Juan Monaco (ARG) H2H – I am quite tempted to pick an upset here, but Stan has done well when defending titles.

[3] Rafael Nadal (ESP) vs [WC] Lucas Pouille (FRA) H2H – Rafa will be tested in Monte Carlo but not in this match.

[2] Roger Federer (SUI) vs Jeremy Chardy (FRA) H2H – I don’t like Chardy’s chances in this match.

[11] Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) vs David Goffin (BEL) H2H – I’ll pick a mild upset due to Tsonga’s potential rust.  This is a dangerous pick as Tsonga could overpower Goffin.

[6] Tomas Berdych (CZE) vs Sergiy Stakhovsky (UKR) H2H – The Big Czech has generally won early round matches in recent events.

[9] Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) vs Fabio Fognini (ITA) H2H – If Dimitrov is clicking, he should win.  If Fognini plays like he did in Rio, an upset is likely.  I think Dimitrov is less likely to implode so Grigor gets the slightest of edges in my mind.

[4] Milos Raonic (CAN) vs Joao Sousa (POR) H2H – Milos may have his hands full as Sousa is a talented player, but Milos is quite a steady performer in matches he is supposed to win.

[WC/14] Gael Monfils (FRA) vs Alexandr Dolgopolov (UKR) H2H – Try to predict this one ….

[16] Tommy Robredo (ESP) vs Marcel Granollers (ESP) H2H – Robredo wins a tight baseline duel.

[10] Gilles Simon (FRA) vs [Q] Benoit Paire (FRA) H2H – I love Gilles’ oddly apathetic way of fighting his brains out on court.

[15] John Isner (USA) vs Viktor Troicki (SRB) – The big man typically plays much better on US soil, but I think this is a match he can successfully navigate.

[12] Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP) vs Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER) H2H – I like Kohlschreiber’s variety to be the difference in this match.