Predicted Winners in BOLD

Fed and Cuevas are in action in Paris

[2] Roger Federer (SUI) vs. Marcel Granollers (ESP) – I don’t think this is the easiest match for Federer. As enticing as Roger’s second week draw is, but matches through the round of 16 are not necessarily ideal.  Fed is still obviously favored in this match.

They have Fed on Lenglen – both have been praised for fluid play

[4] Tomas Berdych (CZE) vs. Radek Stepanek (CZE) – The Big Czech vs. The Worm Czech?

[5] Kei Nishikori (JPN) vs. Thomaz Bellucci (BRA) – These two have each won clay court titles in 2015. This is not ideal for Kei.  I think Kei should win due to his ability to take the ball early, but Bellucci has always been able to hit the ball a ton.  If he is starting to put points together more effectively, Bellucci may be a huge obstacle.

[8] Stan Wawrinka (SUI) vs. Dusan Lajovic (SRB) – Stan is returning to some form in my view.

[12] Gilles Simon (FRA) vs. Martin Klizan (SVK) – Gilles can be quite tricky for opponents.

[13] Gael Monfils (FRA) vs. Diego Schwartzman (ARG) – Monfils is always a risk, but he has to know he has won 5 consecutive sets off of Roger Federer whom he might face in the round of 16.

[14] Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) vs. Dudi Sela (ISR) – Jo-Willy for the win

[19] Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP) vs. Lukas Rosol (CZE) – Does everyone hate Rosol?  I am not sure, but he can do some damage here.

[21] Pablo Cuevas (URU) vs. Dominic Thiem (AUT) – This is close to a 50-50 match.  Cuevas got to see Federer’s backhand a few times this spring.  Can Fed’s young sparring partner win?  I think so.

[22] Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER) vs. Pablo Andujar (ESP) – I would love to be watching this match up close.

[24] Ernests Gulbis (LAT) vs. Nicolas Mahut (FRA) – I’d love to see Mahut win, but on clay I am shocked Mahut won his 1st round match.

[28] Fabio Fognini (ITA) vs. Benoit Paire (FRA) – This should be a lot of fun too.

[32] Fernando Verdasco (ESP) vs. Benjamin Becker (GER) – Hot Sauce advances.