This is a good first round match-up between two of the top 35 players in the world. Wawrinka’s best finish in Paris is the third round but that was in 2005, while Kohlschreiber has reached the second round the past two years. I’ll go with the ninth seed because he’s been playing better this season.
Marin Cilic def. Robin Haase
Cilic is 0-1 in his career at the French Open, but Haase has never even played in the event. I’ll go with the Bosnian player because he won a meeting between the two earlier this year in India.
Filippo Volandri def. Pablo Andujar
The Italian reached the Round of 16 last year so he’ll have enough experience to beat the qualifier Andujar, whom he beat on clay in Turin last year.
Fernando Gonzalez (24) def. Pablo Cuevas
Gonzalez has beaten Cuevas twice this year, but their only clay court meeting was a tight one that went to three sets and involved two tiebreakers. I’ll take the seeded player but it won’t be easy.
Igor Andreev (27) def. Potito Starace
The Russian hasn’t dropped a set in two clay court meetings with the Italian.
Robby Ginepri def. Donald Young
At least we know one American will make it to the second round of the French Open this year. I’ll take Ginepri because he’s playing better this year and is the only one who has competed here before.
Victor Hanescu def. Dudi Sela
Hanescu reached the quarters in 2005, while Sela has never won a match here.
Florent Serra def. Richard Gasquet (8)
This is a match-up between two Frenchmen who now live in Switzerland. Both have won at least one match here, but not much more over the past three years and each player is playing .500 tennis in 2008. I’ll take the upset because Serra beat Gasquet in their only career ATP contest back in 2006.
Nikolay Davydenko (4) vs. Thomas Johansson
Davydenko reached the semi-finals last year and has beaten Johansson in their last two meetings. He’s also 29-9 in 2008.
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