Vanek hasn’t won a Grand Slam match in two years, but the last one came at Roland Garros. Still, I’ll take the qualifier who will have a few matches on clay already under his belt this week.
Radek Stepanek (21) def. Gilles Simon
Stepanek hasn’t lost a first round match here since 2004, while Simon just picked up his first ever French victory last year.
Lleyton Hewitt (25) def. Nicolas Mahut
Mahut is 0-6 during his career in Paris, while Hewitt hasn’t missed the third round since last millennium. This is an easy one.
Agustin Calleri def. Mardy Fish
Calleri hasn’t won a match here in seven years, but Fish has never advanced to the second round of the French Open. I’ll take the more experienced clay courter.
Fabrice Santoro def. Florian Mayer
Neither one has had a whole lot of recent success at Roland Garros, but Santoro has been playing in this event since I was six, so that’s got to be worth something.
David Ferrer (5) def. Steve Darcis
Ferrer has never lost a first round match here. Darcis has never been in a first round match here.
James Blake (7) def. Rainer Schuettler
Blake’s won more matches on clay this year than Schuettler has won on all surfaces combined.
Ernests Gulbis def. Simon Greul
Latvia’s great hope reached the second round last year and should be able to again this year.
Thierry Ascione def. Bobby Reynolds
Ascione won his first round match last year, proving he can win at the French. That’s more than can be said about Reynolds.
Janko Tipsarevic (32) def. Nicolas Lapentti
Tipsarevic already beat Lapentti this year on clay at the ATP Masters Series event in Monte Carlo. But it was a close match, as this one probably will be.
Marcos Baghdatis (17) def. Simone Bolelli
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