Predicted Winners in BOLD
[2] Andy Murray (GBR) vs. [8] Tomas Berdych (CZE) H2H – Andy should win this match. Clay could impact this match to a degree, but Andy’s clay court game is better than most people recognize.
[5] Rafael Nadal (ESP) vs. Joao Sousa (POR) – I think Rafa wins, but I expect Joao to push Rafa to a play a rugged/physical match.
[1] Novak Djokovic (SRB) vs. [11] Milos Raonic (CAN) – I think Milos’ goal needs to be to make this closer than their Indian Wells match. Raonic seems to have rebounded from his Indian Wells drubbing and drubbing from Murray at Monte Carlo. Milos can do well on clay because he has the ability to get a solid swing at the ball on a slower court, but Novak should win and win pretty easily.
[6] Kei Nishikori (JPN) vs. Nick Kyrgios (AUS) – Nick may pull the upset here. Kei has played well in Spain over the past several years, but at some point I think Nick
Tennis Abides: Dan Martin on Tennis and Life 
ah, you’re going with nick…
ah, so you’re going with nick over kei… tough call, but i think i’d take kei on clay. but then again, it’s madrid.
I figured I needed an upset
close but kei wins again….
Kei is occupying that Ferrer, Berdych, etc. status I suppose. He is like a gate keeper to the top tier, but he is not (yet?) in the top tier.