French Open 2013: Top Players Who Will Steamroll on Day 2

After strong displays by the elites through Day 1 of the 2013 French Open, other top players will steamroll through their first matches on Day 2.

With Serena Williams and Roger Federer totally smashing the opposition on Sunday, their performances will be echoed on Monday. It's important to dominate opponents in the beginning, as simply edging past an inferior challenger doesn't bode well for confidence versus tougher competition.

To that end, let's take a quick glimpse at which powers bulldoze through Round 1 and into Round 2.

Note: View full schedule of Monday's action at the official Roland Garros website.

Rafael Nadal (vs. Daniel Brands)

Rafael Nadal remains the French Open juggernaut until proved otherwise. Even the best of contenders have the most difficult time facing him on the Roland Garros clay.

So, don't expect anything from Germany's Daniel Brands. Brands' best performance this year was reaching the quarterfinals in Dubai, but he was then swept in two sets by Juan Martin del Potro.

And despite reaching the semifinals in Munich, Brands fell to fellow countryman Philipp Kohlschreiber in three sets. Nadal enters on three straight tournament victories and has won the three previous French Opens.

His serve and defense will simply be too much for Brands to handle. As a result, Rafa advances quickly in straight sets.

Maria Sharapova (vs. Su-Wei Hsieh)

Maria Sharapova is the women's defending Roland Garros champion and ranks No. 2 in the WTA.

Su-Wei Hsieh ranks No. 42 but has decent experience this year against strong competition. She has faced off versus Nadia Petrova, Samantha Stosur, Agnieszka Radwanska and Angelique Kerber. 

The downside is not having won against any of those higher-ranked players.

Sharapova, on the flip side, holds 2013 victories in various tournaments over Stosur, Sara Errani, Caroline Wozniacki, Kerber and Ana Ivanovic. In terms of squaring off against similar competition, Hsieh is not that far behind Sharapova.

The main difference, however, is the Russian's ability to consistently win. Include Sharapova's full-force effort each match, and she rolls into Round 2.

Tomas Berdych (vs. Gael Monfils)

Tomas Berdych heads into the French Open with immense confidence. In his prior competitions, he has collected victories over Andy Murray (Madrid) and Novak Djokovic (Italy). Plus, he fended off Roger Federer in Dubai's semifinals earlier this season.

His first opponent, Gael Monfils of France, ranks No. 81 in the ATP and doesn't have nearly as strong a resume. Although he has gone up against Del Potro and David Ferrer, Monfils was defeated in straight sets by each.

That said, anticipate a replicated result from Berdych.

The Czech proved his clutch potential in the comeback victory over Djokovic, and he is obviously better on clay versus top opponents. Monfils has the serve to compete, but his inconsistent marksmanship won't get past Berdych.