French Open 2011: Roger Federer and Caroline Wozniacki Headline Action on Day 4

It's already been four days into the French Open, and there are yet a ton of matches to get through. We've done the round of 128, and no half the number remain, as round two progresses today on the men's and women's sides.

As usual, the big stars are on court, almost like some ubiquitous presence on Court Philippe Chartrier, with the 2009 champion Roger Federer, the world number one Caroline Wozniacki and a bunch of other important people, naturally.

But there isn't any Nadal vs. Isner (and what a match that was) in sight, or anything potentially world-shattering. Rather, the main highlights of today are likely to be found on the proletarian battlegrounds of the outer courts.

Victor Hanescu vs. Novak Djokovic (Court Philippe Chartrier, Third Match)

Okay, well there is one big-name, big-match possibility, in the contest between Novak Djokovic. Will the Romanian simply prove yet another listless obstacle to the Serb's seemingly relentless and irresistible progress to all-time greatness?

Or will a slightly disturbing big serve and easy power prove a winning combination?

We all know where the real stakes are at, and who is really going to win this match. But it would be an interesting match at times, with the occasional tennis eye-candy—at least Novak Djokovic promises such all the time nowadays.

Igor Andreev vs. Jo-Wilfred Tsonga (Court Suzanne Lenglen, Fourth Match)

If Djokovic vs. Hanescu sounds like a foregone affair, Tsonga vs. Andreev brings a concatenation of big forehands. In the Russian and French local favourite, one will see two of men's tennis' finest shotmakers, and a nice contrast—the artistic and hugely talented Tsonga (somewhat French in the sense of philosophical isolation he brings to the court) against the machine-like, terribly efficient game of Andreev.

It would be the 21st century's much diluted version of Cold War tennis, a battle of ideologies replayed only on a very minor scale. But for what its worth this is probably going to be a battle royale.  

David Ferrer vs. Julian Benneteau (Court 1, Second Match)

This on the and strikes one as a typically Mediterranean matchup, between two versions of quintessentially European passion—David Ferrer on the one hand representing the Hispanic, and Benneteau at the same time the French, forms of sporting expression.

Expect a match with long winding rallies, and the occasional mental breakdown from Benneteau (succumbing again to that ineluctable evil of being a Frenchman at the French).

Lucie Safarova vs. Julia Goerges (Court 2, First Match)

While some, for the moment, might think Goerges the greater player—considering her most recent record—she faces a tough encounter today with Lucie Safarova, the girlfriend of big-hitting Tomas Berdych, and no different herself.

It was her who took down Amelie Mauresmo some years back here at the French, and, being a lefty, might cause some problems for the up-and-coming German.

Stephane Robert vs. Fabio Fognini (Court 2, Fourth Match)

Is Stephane Robert the real deal? A potential 2011 Yannick Noah? He certainly suggested that with a five-set triumph over Tomas Berdych two days ago, and will be seeking to legitimise it against Fabio Fognini—a much more winnable encounter, and  for that, all the harder to win.

Sara Errani vs. Daniela Hantuchova (Court 7, Second Match)

This one promises much, especially on clay, with Errani playing with a forehand the like of which few on the women's tour, except probably that of Stosur and Schiavone, would resemble.

In Hantuchova, she will have a tough contest—a gritty and solid opponent, always one of the harder women to beat. There will be nice rallies though, and given Errani's day, might even produce a surprise result.

The second round always brings some variety, and the commonplace even may produce some interest. Here are some matches which, while not potentially close encounters, may prove engrossing encounters for various reasons:

Caroline Wozniacki vs. Aleksandra Wozniack (Court Philippe Chartrier, First Match)

If there would be any non-tennis related reason to watch tennis today it will simply have to be for the frivolity of listening to the umpire during Wozniacki's match against...Wozniack. Whether they are related in any sense might be interesting to know, although Caroline is likely to suspend all relations with her for this match, whatever they may be.

Roger Federer vs. Maxime Teixeira (Court Suzanne Lenglen, First Match)

Well, it's Roger Federer, and whoever Teixeira may be, there's the 16-time slam champ in there. For one thing, he seems to be wielding a dying, and possibly slightly edgy magic wand nowadays, although its seems to work quite fine in the early rounds of grand slams—and against wild cards, at that. Expect it to work well again today.

Jelena Jankovic vs. Vera Dushevina (Court 3, Second Match)

Ana Ivanovic loss yesterday, in a stunning development, and a sterile performance—her fellow compatriot Jelena Jankovic will be hoping to do the opposite and progress to the round of 32. Is the Serbian Surge in women's tennis coming to a grinding halt? This match might suggest some answers.

Juan Martin Del Potro vs. Blaz Kavcic (Court 2, Third Match)

This one seems like the driest of them all. Just on paper alone this should be a blowout, and considering the fire that was so evident in his first round against Ivo Karlovic, this should be a welcome matchup.

But its significance and interest lies beyond it—for there looms a potential clash with the 40-0 (and by that time 41-0) Novak Djokovic in the third round. What a match that would promise to be.