French Open 2013: Highlighting Best Matches to Watch on Day 2

If Day 2 of the 2013 French Open is anything like Day 1, tennis fans will be in for some fun.

Venus Williams was bounced in the first round. It's an upset, but it's not all that shocking, considering she was only the 30th seed. Williams lost in the second round of last year's tournament as well.

The early stages of any Grand Slam generally aren't full of surprises. They're more about watching the top seeds establish their dominance and setting the tone for how the tournament will unfold later.

Here are three of the best matches to watch during Monday's French Open action.

No. 3 Rafael Nadal vs. Daniel Brands

Rafael Nadal will be the player to beat at Roland Garros. Novak Djokovic may be the top seed, but it's Rafa who should be considered the favorite to win.

He's been great since returning to the court, winning six singles titles and coming into Roland Garros with a 36-2 record in 2013. His progress won't be accurately judged until after the French Open. He wasn't able to take part in the Australian Open, so this is his first Grand Slam of the year.

Nadal has been the king of France, taking seven of the last eight tournament titles. Watching him at the French Open is a joy no matter who his opponent is.

With the way his knees have been, you have to wonder if Nadal's career could be curtailed much earlier than the past greats' careers were. Nadal needs to make the most of every Grand Slam opportunity.

He should make quick work of Daniel Brands.

No. 5 Tomas Berdych vs. Gael Monfils

Tomas Berdych has had a pretty nice buildup to the French Open. He has managed to get deep into most of his tournaments, including upsetting Djokovic at the Rome Masters. Berdych won't be considered a major threat in the tournament, but he could make a nice run.

He's got to be frustrated drawing Gael Monfils in the first round. Berdych has been the winner all three times these two have played, but a match at Roland Garros is a bit of a different story.

Monfils will have the home crowd behind him, and the French Open has always brought out his best Grand Slam performances. He made the semifinals in 2008 and two quarterfinals (2009 and 2011).

Berdych will be the heavy favorite, but there's a very good chance Monfils makes this interesting and pushes the fifth seed to five sets.

No. 2 Maria Sharapova vs. Su-Wei Hsieh

Last year, Maria Sharapova completed her career Grand Slam by beating Sara Errani in straight sets at Roland Garros. She then turned around and made the semifinals at the 2012 U.S. Open and 2013 Australian Open.

It's been a pretty good 2013 for Sharapova, but she's been overshadowed by Serena Williams. Williams has been on an imperious run of form.

Sharapova will be the biggest threat to Williams in this tournament. The clay of Roland Garros has always given Williams fits, with her last win coming in 2002. That's a nice equalizer for Sharapova, considering she's lost to Williams three times this year.

It's important that Sharapova gets off to a nice start at the French Open.