Roland Garros - Men's Wednesday Preview

Maxime Teixeira vs. Roger Federer

Roger Federer eased his way into the tournament with a solid display against Feliciano Lopez, was a much easier then their encounter in Madrid. He was never troubled firing 12 aces and without facing a break point, he was solid on serve and also displayed his usual range shot against Lopez. He won 86% points behind first serve and the Spaniard this time failed to press him too much.

Teixeira managed to win his first match in a Grand Slam and ATP level, was a tough match against his compatriot Millot who made 70 unforced errors on court. Was a tough match of almost 4 hours with a lot of break opportunities, a total of 38 and 19 each, but Teixeira was the player who served consistently and pressed the second serve of Millot and deserved the win.

Hard to see any downs to Federer here after his solid match against Lopez, the conditions are still on fast side.

Kei Nishikori vs. Sergey Stakhovsky

Japan's Kei Nishikori reached the French Open second round, but admitted that he had been close to pulling out after struggling to shake off a kidney infection.

"I was close to not playing. My stomach had been hurting, but I started to feel better so I decided to come and practise here. he kidney infection is now fine. I am taking medicine for it and it's getting better. Physically and tennis-wise, it's pretty good and I'm confident", said the Japanese. He played a solid match overall, Lu managed to push him only partially breaking him three times from fifteen but he made a lot of errors on court and lost his serve eight times from 29 occasions. The Ukrainian also made a solid match after he lost the opening set, Stakhovsky served well through out the match, it was a little bit unlucky not to take the opening set but was solid behind the serve to control the match.    

Janko Tipsarevic vs. Pere Riba

Pere Riba advanced in the second round in French Open after a convincing win over Dodid, who ones more flattered in a Grand Slam. He was the player who played better in defensive controlling the match and forcing Dodig to make a lot of errors.

The Serb, despite some uninspiring first serve he still won 80% of points behind first serve keeping his errors low and controlling the match. Conditions are on fast side and the powerful serve of the Serb will make an impact here.

Guillaume Rufin vs. Gael Monfils

Gael Monfils admitted he did not make the best of starts to the French Open. He dropped the first set against German qualifier Bjorn Phau before stepping up in his fourth sets win. "We can say it was a timid start for me, with a very tough match. He has played good tennis. And me, I was timid and I played very defensive tennis. But I'm satisfied because I won", said Monfils.

The win booked a meeting with compatriot Guillaume Rufin, with Monfils admitting he would have to study his opponent's form after he scored an impressive first-round win over Adrian Mannarino.

"I don't know him very well. I have not seen him playing. I'm going to search for information about him. I expect a tough match", he said. Rufin made a much better match against Mannarino who was a little bit off and made a lot of unforced errors on court. Monfils is favorite to advance further and if he will not suffer any let down he should take this one comfortably in three sets.

David Ferrer vs. Julien Benneteau

The seventh-seeded David Ferrer had no problems, advancing to the second round by defeating Jarkko Nieminen easily in three sets.

"I always hope I get good performances in Paris. I think you need to take it step by step, one match after the other, because all matches are different", said Ferrer.

The Spaniard controlled the match having little problems against the Finn. Benneteau past by Machado but wasn’t an easy match, the Frenchman needed to work hard and also some spectacular points were played but the Frenchman pushed by a noisy crowd manage to get through.

H2h is 3/3 but the last meeting is back in 2008, Benneteau looked good against Machado and if he keep his level has the chance to take a set but also Ferrer played some aggressive tennis from the beginning and not let his opponent to breath.

Victor Hanescu vs. Novak Djokovic      

Little can be said by the Djokovic’s first match in French Open, the Serb controlled the match against a player which can be very tricky in a given day. He served very well, 80% of first serve in and won 83% points behind that.

He will meet Hanescu who managed to win in a not so far convincing win over local player Paire. H2h is 5/0 for the Serb who once more will want to keep as low as he can on court and he will start very aggressive. Overall the Romanian is a reliable player against top players, he has the serve and game to remain close but is hard to go against the Serb who easily won against a player like Hanescu.

Richard Gasquet vs. Marcel Granollers      

Richard Gasquet was looking relaxed in his first match in Roland Garros. Gasquet certainly appeared motivated and tension-free in beating Stepanek. He has a new attitude on court and that helps him to play without pressure, a good thing when you play in France. He controlled the match against Stepanek registering his first win over the Czech while the Spaniard struggled a little bit against the American.

The Spaniard didn’t impress too much making more unforced errors then Bogomolov but also winners. It will be the first meeting between them and if Gasquet will play at the same level we see a much easier match then the match against Stepanek.  

Juan Martin Del Potro vs. Blaz Kavcic

Juan Martin Del Potro made a winning return to Grand Slam action after battling past Croatian Ivo Karlovic in four sets to reach round two of the French Open. Wasn’t an easy match, the Argentine needed some time to adjust his game to the powerful serve of the Croat, who fired 22 aces, but after he won the second set he slowly start to impose his game.

Kavcic advanced with an easy win against errors prone Gulbis but he will not benefit by same free points on court as most probable Del Potro will challenge Djokovic in next round.

Mikhail Kukushkin vs. Mikhail Youzhny

Youzhny managed to beat Soeda in first round, it was a tough first set but after that the Russian controlled the match and his serve also started to clinch better.

Kukushkin beat Brands in first round without being impressive, he made only 11 unforced errors while Brands 42, but also only 13 winners. He let the German to self destroy and Brands failed behind a poor serve.

Kukushkin was in poor form prior to Roland Garros and also isn’t on his favorite surface and if Yozhny will play with his wide arsenal of shots he should control the match.

Ruben Ramirez-Hidalgo vs. Albert Montanes

Cilic had 67 unforced errors in the match and was five times while he broke once in the first and also had the chance to serve for the set, since there the film was broke. Ramirez Hidalgo earned only his fourth win in 15 grand-slam tournaments.

"It's my greatest victory this season, that's for sure”, said the Spaniard.

Overall the Frenchman benefit but the high numbers of errors made by the Croatian on court but also point by point he started to believe and played some solid tennis.     

Andreas Seppi vs. Thomaz Bellucci

The Brazilian handled well the opening round against a tricky player like Golubev, he was focused on court and solid from the back of the court and was unlucky not to finish in three points. He also bounced back strongly after he lost the third set in tie-break.

"I know I'll have to get focused as against Golubev and keep me strong not to be surprised by Seppi. I'm feeling good and ready for the game", said the Brazilian.

The Italian won against Gabashvili and enters with 1/0 on the head-to-head meetings with Bellucci, Seppis kept his errors low and let the Russian to be the aggressive player and miss. Bellucci is coming in better form and in a five sets match he looks favorite as still the Italians struggle with fourm.  

Steve Darcis vs. Philipp Petzschner      

One of the most interesting matches this round. Darcis managed to get a step further after he qualified as he ousted Llodra in first round. From his point a view little changed as Petzschner is also a big server but right handed.

The Belgian looked solid on court and will have a high morale, the German once more will use a lot of slices and will charge the net as from the back of the court the Belgian has the upper hand creating good angles and remaining solid in long rallies.

Petzschner was solid on serve against an out of form Zverev, will be the first meeting between them, the German played well on the surface but Darcis can mix up better on court and has more weaponry then the German.  

Igor Andreev vs. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga

Tsonga managed to beat Hajek in first round counting on serve and forehand, wasn’t an easy match as Hajek resisted well and stretched the Frenchman even that the scoreline indicates something else.

Andreev hasn't advanced past the second round at any tournament this year. But the Russian is very dangerous and forehand to forehand battle will be common as both rely on their forehand to win points. Andreev should play the Frenchman more on the backhand wing as still Tsonga makes too many errors especially from the run but the Frenchman looked impressive in first round putting a lot of effort and desire and playing at home under a noisy crowd.    

Stephane Robert vs. Fabio Fognini

The Italian was supposed to play Berdych in the second round but he will meet local player Stephane. He had never previously won a match at Roland Garros and this was only his second win in eight Grand Slam appearances. It was also only his second win of the season on the ATP World Tour.

"I gave it all today", said an ecstatic Robert, who hit 62 winners to his opponent's 40.

"I fought for my life. In the third set, he started to give me some points. Winning that set gave me confidence and I became more aggressive on the return", completed the Frenchman who was pushed by behind by a noisy crowd.

Fognini likes this kind of atmosphere, he beat Monfils last year in French Open in an electrical atmosphere, the Italian handled well Istomin in first round and leads the head-to-head with 2/0 against the Frenchman. Fognini has a better defense and will exploit the poor first serve of his opponent and if he will keep his head he will take this one.  

Stanislas Wawrinka vs. Thomas Schoorel

Playing in his first main-draw match at a Grand Slam tournament, Gensse made a solid match against Wawrinka. As long as the French kept the points short he had the upper hand while in long rallies the Swiss was the better man, also Wawrinka needed some time to adjust his shots especially the backhand.

He will meet now Schoorel for the first time, the Dutchman continued his wining strike as he beat Maximo Gonzalez, the Dutchman made a much better game and gave only two opportunities to the Argentine but he didn’t lost his serve.

Schoorel is very dangerous and enters with a high morale, he has a powerful serve and likewise Gensse he can remain better in long rallies while he can finish up the points quickly. Is a player who doesn’t give too many points on court and the Swiss should be very focused and not slip his game.

Marsel Ilhan vs. Guillermo Garcia-Lopez

Ilhan fired 25 aces against a player who looked without form for a while but still managed to push the Turkish player. Ilhan has now advanced to the second round of all Grand Slams, but he is yet to advance further in any of the sport's major tournaments. He looked well against a player who needs more match practice but he will have a difficult task against Garcia-Lopez but not impossible.

The Spaniard struggled against a player who charged the net a lot, he made a lot of unforced errors on court while his serve not always clicked.

Ilhan has nothing to lose and can push from the back of the court, the match is played in the night session when conditions are slower and the power of the Spaniard can be negate.

Garcia-Lopez counts too much on his serve and power and if he will fail he will be under pressure.