Each day during Roland Garros, we'll select three of the most intriguing matches on the schedule and offer our predictions.
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga [17] vs. Igor Andreev (Court Suzanne Lenglen, Fourth Match)
Did you know Tsonga has his own logo? Don't you need to win a Grand Slam title—or seven—before you can start identifying yourself with a symbol? Anyways, Monsieur Emblem has a potentially difficult second-rounder with Andreev, a player who can't be judged solely on his No. 92 ranking. The Russian hits his forehand with intense spin and is very comfortable on clay, reaching the quarters here in 2007 and the fourth round in 2004. He nearly beat Roger Federer at the 2008 U.S. Open. He's no right-handed Rafa, but he can look like one on his best day.
There haven't been many of those lately; Andreev hasn't advanced past the second round at any tournament this year. I don't think he will at Roland Garros, either, but Tsonga still needs to be careful on Day 4. Forehand-to-forehand exchanges will be common, and Tsonga can do plenty of damage with his. Possessing power, speed and touch, Tsonga should be too much for Andreev to handle.
The Pick: Tsonga in three sets.
Vera Zvonareva [3] vs. Sabine Lisicki (Court 1, Fourth Match)
I talked about Lisicki two days ago and she went on to win her first-rounder, 6-0, 6-4. She now has four matches under her belt at Roland Garros (including qualifying rounds), and I think the momentum gained outweighs the fatigue incurred. Slowly, the hard-hitter is finding her groove.
Zvonareva remains in a groove that she's been on for some time. She's a deserving No. 3 after a slew of deep tournament runs on all surfaces, and though clay might be her least desirable playing ground, it's far from a liability. A big-swinger herself, Zvonareva should win the majority of games, even if a handful—a set's worth?—ends up in Lisicki's kitty.
The Pick: Zvonareva in three sets.
Novak Djokovic [2] vs. Victor Hanescu (Court Philippe Chatrier, Third Match)
Why do I mention this match, surely a win for the Serb? Because that's what we said about a certain highly-ranked Spaniard's first-rounder on Monday. There are no sure wins, no matter your status, and the Romanian hits with surprising pop. Unlike Thiemo de Bakker, I think the veteran Hanescu will give Djokovic his best effort. I don't suspect it will be enough, but who would have guessed Lukasz Kubot would beat No. 11 Nicolas Almagro?
The Pick: Djokovic in three sets.
Ed McGrogan is the online editor of TENNIS.com.