By Kamakshi Tandon

Amelie Mauresmo (FRA)[5] vs. Lucie Safarova (CZE)[25]Court Philippe Chatrier – 2nd match

Safarova defeated defending champion Mauresmo at the Australian Open earlier this year and the Frenchwoman says she’s eager to ‘avenge’ the loss. Given her frequently timid performances here over the years, that sort of confidence is encouraging. Doubly so because Mauresmo has yet to find top form since having appendicitis in March.

But Safarova has been on the rise, reaching the final of the Paris indoors with wins over Nicole Vaidisova, Svetlana Kuznetsova and Justine Henin. She also made her irst Grand Slam quarterfinal at the Australian Open.

In terms of atmosphere, however, this may be the biggest match Safarova has played in her career so far. That makes Mauresmo the favorite, but psychologically, this should be an interesting match to watch either way.

Pick: Mauresmo

Paul-Henri Mathieu (FRA) vs. Igor Andreev (RUS)Court Philippe Chartier – 3rd match

With only two Frenchman remaining in the draw, the pressure is on for Mathieu to perform for his country – it’s not a role he’s been comfortable with in Davis Cup, losing a live fifth rubber more than once. Tough losses have been par for the course in Mathieu’s career – five years ago, he led Andre Agassi by two sets here and lost.

Andreev is the man who did the highest-profile damage during the American massacre in the first round – he defeated Andy Roddick in four sets, hitting about 40 forehand winners. Mathieu has reached the third round here and no further for the last two years – and it’ll be three if Andreev can find that kind of range on his forehand again. Having said that, the talented Frenchman is never to be counted out.

Pick: Andreev

Lleyton Hewitt (AUS)[14] vs. Jarkko Nieminen (FIN)[20]Court 1 – 4th match

This match feels like a prelude to a Hewitt-Nadal rematch of the Hamburg semifinals in the next round, but Hewitt won’t be taking the Flying Finn lightly. Nieminen hasn’t done anything that special this year but is competent on all surfaces and has played well in bursts, reaching the third round in Hamburg and the semifinals in Marseille.

Here’s Hewitt’s analysis: “We've had some tough matches [Hewitt leads the head-to-head 3-0].  Obviously a left hander. Good off both sides. He's got a good left handed serve, not afraid to come in. Moves well. And yeah, it's a different kind of match up, though, than playing a guy like Gaudio today, who is a typical clay court player.”

Neiminen’s game is flatter than Nadal’s as well, so that will be another readjustment for Hewitt if he wins – which he should, given the boost of his comeback win against Gaston Gaudio and his strong performance in Hamburg two weeks ago. Hewitt has been dealing with some niggling injuries over the last year and split up with his coach at the beginning of the season, but he’s finally getting an extended stretch of play that he needs to be performing at his best.

Pick: Hewitt