Predicted Winners in BOLD
[2] Andy Murray (GBR) vs. Sam Groth (AUS) – This could be somewhat tricky as Groth has firepower and crowd support. Still, Murray would be in more peril if this were a 2 of 3 set match. He should be able to weather any hot streaks from Groth in a 3 of 5 format.
[4] Stan Wawrinka (SUI) vs. Radek Stepanek (CZE) – Stan vs. the Worm could be interesting, but again over 3 out of 5 sets I think Stan wins.
[8] David Ferrer (ESP) vs. Lleyton Hewitt (AUS) – In one sense, Ferrer should be able to wear Hewitt down, but somehow I think the crowd, the training Hewitt did for this last run, and Hewitt himself produce an upset.
[10] John Isner (USA) vs. Marcel Granollers (ESP) – I picked against John at my own peril last round. Granollers could certainly win, but he will need to take care of his serve.
[13] Milos Raonic (CAN) vs. Tommy Robredo (ESP) – Tommy is a great guy and very professional, but I think he is outgunned in this showdown at this stage of his career.
[16] Bernard Tomic (AUS) vs. Simone Bolelli (ITA) – Is Tomic going to reach the second week?
[18] Feliciano Lopez (ESP) vs. Guido Pella (ARG) – FLo FTW
[21] Viktor Troicki (SRB) vs. Tim Smyczek (USA) – Maybe Troicki is a little leg weary from his tune-up win.
[23] Gael Monfils (FRA) vs. Nicolas Mahut (FRA) – Francophiles enjoy
[25] Jack Sock (USA) vs. Lukas Rosol (CZE) – This is a 50-50 match, but maybe Sock’s forehand makes the difference on this slow hard court.
[30] Jeremy Chardy (FRA) vs. Andrey Kuznetsov (RUS) – Chardy could be leg weary, but even if he is 100%, I favor Kuznetsov.
[31] Steve Johnson (USA) vs. Thomaz Bellucci (BRA) – If Johnson handles lefty angles and heavy spin well, he will advance.
[32] Joao Sousa (POR) vs. Santiago Giraldo (COL) – Lisboa
Fernando Verdasco (ESP) vs. Dudi Sela (ISR) – Hot Sauce stays hot.
John Millman (AUS) vs. Gilles Muller (LUX)
Stephane Robert (FRA) vs. Rajeev Ram (USA) – This is a battle between two guys who have stuck with tennis when retiring could be appealing.