Predicted Winners in BOLD

[1] Novak Djokovic (SRB) vs [7] David Ferrer (ESP) H2H – Novak has a decided advantage heading into this match.  He has not dominated any opponents in Rome to this point.  Every match has seen Nole lose a set.  That makes me think Novak may be vulnerable especially if his focus is exclusively on Paris (and who could blame him?).  Ferrer is a dogged competitor who will make Novak earn this match.  I don’t expect his game trouble Novak a great deal minus the energy the world #1 may have to expend to win this match.  I expect Novak to break his pattern and win in two close sets.

Federer v Berdych 2 sets – 66 minutes – 94 pts played Nadal v Wawrinka 1 set – 75 minutes – 92 pts played

— Steph Trudel (@TrudelSteph) May 15, 2015

[2] Roger Federer (SUI) vs [8] Stan Wawrinka (SUI) – Stan was obviously impressive in his 2nd consecutive win versus Rafael Nadal.  Stan rallied to take the first set tiebreak and then ran away with the match in the second set.  Both of Wawrinka’s career wins vs. Federer have come on clay.  This is also their first clash since Mirka gave Stan a piece of her mind prior to Switzerland needing to win the Davis Cup.  I think Federer has generally had a mental edge versus Stan.  Stan had his chance at both Wimbledon and the World Tour Finals last year only to fall to his compatriot.  Also, Federer’s quarterfinal was far less taxing than the first set of the Nadal-Wawrinka quarterfinal.  I think Roger wins a close match that might go 3 sets.  However, his apparent mental edge vs. Wawrinka will play a roll in advancing.