Predicted Winners in BOLD

[6] Rafael Nadal (ESP) vs. Nicolas Almagro (ESP) – Based on Rafa’s lead up to Paris, Almagro has a slight chance at winning this match.  Based on Rafa’s 10+ years of dominating clay, Almagro is toast.  I think Almagro will not be able to dig deep enough to win this match.  Also, my guess is Rafa’s form is at least a little better than what we have seen recently.

[3] Andy Murray (GBR) vs. Joao Sousa (POR) – Both men played well on clay leading into this event.  I think Murray will win in a fairly straightforward manner, but Sousa is a good player.

[1] Novak Djokovic (SRB) vs. Gilles Muller (LUX) – Nole rolls

[20] Richard Gasquet (FRA) vs. Carlos Berlocq (ARG) – I am breaking my own rule again and picking Gasuqet.  Berlocq used a lot of energy getting out of round one.

[16] John Isner (USA) vs Jeremy Chardy (FRA) – I like Isner to win, but if Chardy is ever to make a big push on tour he should be winning matches such as this one.  Chardy will need to take care of his own serve to push Isner, and this is a distinct possibility.  I simply think Isner is far less likely to play poorly.

[7] David Ferrer (ESP) vs Daniel Gimeno-Traver (ESP) – Ferrer wins one of the many possible battle for Spain.

[9] Marin Cilic (CRO) vs [Q] Andrea Arnaboldi (ITA) – I tentatively take Marin to win this match.

[18] Tommy Robredo (ESP) vs Borna Coric (CRO) – Robredo over a 3 out of 5 set match should win this generational battle.

[17] David Goffin (BEL) vs. Santiago Giraldo (COL) – A nail in the Goffin?

Jack Sock (USA) vs. Pablo Carreno Busta (ESP) – Houston could start looking like a key tune-up for Paris if Sock keeps winning.

Jurgen Melzer (AUT) vs. Andrey Kuznetsov (RUS) – Jurgen finds a way.

[15] Kevin Anderson (RSA) vs Yen-Hsun Lu (TPE) – If Lu can break, serve he should win.

[29] Nick Kyrgios (AUS) vs Kyle Edmund (GBR) – Kyrgios has a knack for winning matches at slams.

[27] Bernard Tomic (AUS) vs Thanasi Kokkinakis (AUS) – I hope I am right about this Aussie duel.

Jerzy Janowicz (POL) vs. [23] Leonardo Mayer (ARG) – I love Jerzy, but I think Mayer is likely to win this match.

[31] Viktor Troicki (SRB) vs. Simone Bolelli (ITA) – Prego