*(4) Murray v. Nalbandian [Centrale]
—Murray returns to the site of one of his top performances in 2011—a three-set loss to a then-unbeaten Djokovic, in which the Scot served for the match. Murray didn't play last week in Madrid, pulling out with a back injury. That could render any prediction irrelevant. But the fact that Murray is playing at all suggests he's ready. He'll want to get some matches in before Roland Garros, even if Nalbandian isn't an ideal opening-round opponent.
The Pick: Murray
*(1) Djokovic v. Tomic [Centrale]
—Not before 1:30 pm EST.
—Tomic has struggled in the past few months; since the Australian Open, he's just 8-8. He's also in danger of losing a seed for the French Open; currently, he's No. 32. Tomorrow's opponent won't help matters. After two difficult tournaments in Monte Carlo and Madrid (for wildly different reason), expect to see a focused and somewhat desperate Djokovic in Rome.
The Pick: Djokovic
*(6) Ferrer v. Verdasco [Supertennis Arena]
—5 am EST.
—Both of these two were soundly defeated after taxing wins in Madrid; Verdasco shocked Nadal and Ferrer ousted Almagro despite facing match points. Another similarity: They've each beaten one another seven times. Verdasco is on a mini-surge, but only the best beat Ferrer, who's won both of their matches in 2012.
The Pick: Ferrer
(10) Del Potro v. Llodra [Supertennis Arena]
*(5) Tsonga v. Troicki [Supertennis Arena]
—Not before 1 pm EST.
*(13) Monfils v. Ferrero [Pietrangeli]
—To follow two matches, which begin at 5 am EST.
(11) Simon v. Young [Pietrangeli]
(16) Gasquet v. Melzer [Court 1]
—5 am EST.
(15) Lopez v. Granollers [Court 1]
(14) Monaco v. Ungur [Court 1]
Garcia-Lopez v. Andjar [Court 4]
—5 am EST.
Querrey v. Nieminen [Court 4]
—Not before 6:30 am EST.
TV Schedule
5:00 am - 3:30 pm: Rome (M), Early rounds (Tennis Channel, Live)
4:30 pm - 2:30 am: Rome (M), Early rounds (Tennis Channel, Repeat)
