Predicted Winners in BOLD
I am a bit ill so these are coming later than usual.
Manolo Santana (11 a.m. start)
[3] Rafael Nadal (ESP) vs Simone Bolelli (ITA) H2H – I like Rafa to advance.
[7] David Ferrer (ESP) vs Fernando Verdasco (ESP) H2H – This match should be pretty awesome, but in the end I like Ferrer’s consistency.
[4] Kei Nishikori (JPN) vs [14] Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP) H2H – Kei loves Spain.
[5] Milos Raonic (CAN) vs Leonardo Mayer (ARG) H2H – Milos is flying under the radar at the moment. That is not a bad place for the big Canadian to be.
Arantxa Sanchez Vicario (1 p.m.)
[8] Stan Wawrinka (SUI) vs [10] Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) – Grigor seems to be finding his form. Stan may be doing so as well. If both men are in form, this should be a great match for fans.
[2] Andy Murray (GBR) vs [WC] Marcel Granollers (ESP) H2H – Andy Murray pulled off some late night magic after his long slog in Germany. If he is not exhausted, I expect Murray to advance.
Stadium 3
[6] Tomas Berdych (CZE) vs [12] Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) H2H – This could go either way. Berdych has been so consistent in 2015 that I think he has an edge though.
[16] John Isner (USA) vs Nick Kyrgios (AUS) H2H – Take cover when returning serve… I expect tiebreaks, but I have no idea who will likely win. I am taking Isner simply because Kyrgios might have a mental letdown after beating Federer.