Each day during Roland Garros, we'll select three of the most intriguing matches on the schedule and offer our predictions.
Gilles Simon [18] vs. Jeremy Chardy (Court Philippe Chatrier, Fourth Match)
The other men's match on Chatrier, Andy Murray vs. Simone Bolelli, could be competitive, but this all-French match-up has a greater chance of going four or five. Once ranked as high as No. 6, Simon has worked his way back into the Top 20 after ending 2010 at No. 41. He's returned to the level of "dangerous middle seed," though he'll be the favorite Thursday. Chardy is one of the harder-hitting Frenchman and can be rather fiery—whether that is a positive or negative against Simon, who gets a lot of shots back, remains to be seen. But I don't want to sell Simon short: He can crack the ball, often without warning. The late afternoon crowd should enjoy this one.
The Pick: Simon in four sets.
Alexandra Dulgheru [27] vs. Sorana Cirstea (Court 17, First Match)
Way down on the Order of Play, after men's, women's and mixed doubles first-rounders, is this second-rounder. It could prove to be a diamond in the rough. Both Romanians won their openers in straight sets; Cirstea's was a surprisingly routine 6-1, 6-3 decision over veteran Patty Schnyder. You might recall Cirstea's name from the 2009 season, when she reached the third round of the French Open and Wimbledon. Dulgheru, who's been seeded at a few Slams now, has had a disappointing year aside from a quarterfinal run in Miami. Cirstea is coming in with much more confidence, having just won an ITF event in Cagnes-sur-Mer.
The Pick: Cirstea in two sets.
Sam Querrey [24] vs. Ivan Ljubicic (Court 7, First Match)
I picked Querrey to lose to Philipp Kohlschreiber on Day 3, and was even more confident of my prediction when the American dropped the opening set. Then Querrey rolled through the next three, 6-1, 6-2, 6-4. Speaking afterward on television, Querrey was amiable and projected confidence; he actually wants to be in Paris this year, it seems. His next opponent, Ljubicic, just won't go away—the 32-year-old reached the quarters of Monte Carlo last month, beating Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Tomas Berdych along the way, in straights. Many parts of the Croat's game are deceptively good: his movement, volleys and backhand. One thing that's obvious, however, is his massive serve. Querrey will need to negate that, then take control of the rallies, in order to win.
The Pick: Querrey in four sets.
Ed McGrogan is the online editor of TENNIS.com.