Next Up Djokovic, Nadal, Mladenovic, and Muguruza – Day 2 Revealed

Day one had one major upset in women where Kerber, the number one seed, was taken out in dominating display of aggressive tennis by Makarova.   The match between Pouille and Benneteau lived up to its billing and went an exciting 5th set.  Let’s see what Day 2 has in store.

 

Marcel Granollers v/s Novak Djokovic

Taking into account that Novak has won 3 out of 3 of the matches that they have played with each other, and the fact that Granollers has only won 1 match this clay season, this should be Djokovic’s match.  The presence of Agassi too should have some affect on Novak’s level of play and it will be interesting to see how this partnership kicks off today.  Unless something goes extremely wrong with Novak it is his match all the way.

Conclusion:  Djokovic in 3

 

Garbine v/s Schiavone

Garbine has been having a mediocre season, while Schiavone has been playing well on clay, as she always does. Although Garbine does have an overall better game and more power, her form this year has been suspect.  Muguruza leads the head to head 2-1, and has won the last two matches that they played against each other on clay, although that did happen to be in 2016.  Schiavone has had a stronger season, losing only 2 of her last 10 matches on clay. On the flip side, these losses were the last two matches that Schiavone played suggesting that she may have peaked too early. Muguruza has won 3 of the last 6 matches she has played on clay. Muguruza however, did manage to reach the quarterfinals at Rome, and if Muguruza is able to keep her game at a high level, she should be able to win the match.  However, Schiavone should win this match if Garbine continues to play the way she has been so far this year.

Conclusion:  Muguruza in 3

 

Jennifer Brady v/s Kristina Mladenovic

Mladenovic has been having an extremely strong season on clay this year, while Brady’s has been mediocre. Kristina’s strong serve should help her immensely during the match. Mladenovic has reached two finals only clay this year and has even beaten Sharapova on it.  Maldenovic should be able to dictate with her strong serve, huge forehand and newfound confidence. She seems to be the clear favorite for this match.

Conclusion:  Mladenovic in 2

 

Alexander Zverev v/s Fernando Verdasco

Be ready for an intense match full of aggressive baseline rallies.  While both of these players mostly execute from the baseline, Verdasco does manage to change it up with the occasional slice and approach to the net.  Alexander has been having an extremely strong clay season this year and buoyed by his recent Masters 1000 title and conquest of Djokovic in Rome he is the sure favorite to win this match.  Verdasco will really have to bring out his A game to win this one.

Conclusion:  Zverev in 4

 

Benoit Paire v/s Rafael Nadal

Nadal has beaten Paire the last two times they played on clay, given that those matches were in 2013.  Taking into account Nadal’s dominance on clay, it doesn’t seem like Paire will pose any threat.  Nadal is a clear winner.

Conclusion:  Nadal in 3

 

Francis Tiafoe v/s Fabio Fognini

Fognini has been having a decent clay season with a win over Andy Murray in the Rome Masters.  Tiafoe has been under the radar this entire season, and it doesn’t seem likely that Fabio will have trouble getting through this match. Unless Tiafoe has some special tricks he hasn’t shown us yet, Fabio should win.

Conclusion:  Fognini in 4

 

David Ferrer v/s Donald Young

David Ferrer leads the head to head 1-0, and has been having a much better clay season than Donald Young, who hasn’t won a single match on clay this year.  David Ferrer is the favorite between them here but the match up should prove interesting, as long as Donald Young doesn’t tank.

Conclusion:  Ferrer in 4