The 2004 quarterfinalist should have enough to beat the first timer from America.
Fernando Verdasco (22) def. Santiago Ventura
Verdasco advanced to the Round of 16 last year, while Ventura’s never won here.
Jarkko Nieminen (26) def. Marc Lopez
Nieminen got lucky when his scheduled first round opponent Nicolas Kiefer pulled out. The Fin should be able to get past this lucky loser.
Martin Vassallo Arguello def. Feliciano Lopez
Lopez hasn’t won a match at the French since advancing all the way to the fourth round in 2004. Vassallo Arguello has won just one Grand Slam match since reaching the Round of 16 in 2006 here. The Argentine has had more recent success in Paris, so I’ll give him the slight edge.
Chris Guccione def. Nicolas Devilder
Guccione reached the second round back in 2005, while Devilder is 0-1 in his career at the French. The Aussie (11-6) is also playing a lot better this year.
Rafael Nadal (2) def. Thomaz Bellucci
Nadal’s never lost at Roland Garos. I don’t think the qualifier is going to change that.
SECOND ROUND
Roger Federer (1) def. Albert Montanes
Federer beat Montanes in straight sets in their only ever clay court meeting back in 2005.
Mario Ancic def. Victor Crivoi
One win is enough for the qualifier. The 2006 quarterfinalist should move on.
Ivo Karlovic (20) def. Julien Benneteau
Karlovic has never reached the third round at the French, but I think he breaks through this year against a guy with less success on clay in 2008. This should be a great match.
Juan Monaco (13) def. Paul Capdeville
Monaco beat Capdeville in a qualifier last year and he should do the same again next week.
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