China Open
(Q) Peter Gojowyczk vs. (2) Rafael Nadal: This is generally Nadal’s worst time of year, but the three months off may actually be a good thing in terms of his Asian-swing prospects. A well-rested Nadal rolled on Tuesday and should roll again. Nadal in 2.
Pablo Cuevas vs. (6) Andy Murray: Murray has played a ton of recent tennis coming off a title in Shenzhen and now a three-setter against Janowicz in this week’s first round. But he has had plenty of time to recover. Murray in 2.
(WC) Viktor Troicki vs. (3) Tomas Berdych: Troicki’s comeback is reaching impressive heights at the ATP level, but Berdych is his most daunting opponent yet (yes, more daunting than David Ferrer right now). Berdych in 3.
Pablo Andujar vs. (5) Grigor Dimitrov: Anujar would likely make this competitive on clay, but it should be one-way traffic on the hard stuff. Dimitrov in 2.
(4) Marin Cilic vs. Joao Sousa: Sousa is once again in stellar fall form, but this is a bad matchup. Cilic can overpower him with ease, especially now that the U.S. Open has one match under his belt since his huge triumph in New York. Cilic in 2.
(7) Ernests Gulbis vs. (Q) Martin Klizan: This will come down to which man can dictate play, thus exploiting the other’s weakness (the Gulbis forehand and the Klizan backhand). Gulbis’ firepower–especially on serve–should allow him to dictate more than his opponent. Gulbis in 3.
Rakuten Japan Open
(Q) Michal Przysiezny vs. Denis Istomin: Both men went deep into third sets in their openers. Przysiezny, though, upset Jo-Wilfried Tsonga while Istomin struggled with Taro Daniel. The Pole also has confidence having qualified for the main draw. Przysiezny in 3.
Jurgen Melzer vs. (3) Milos Raonic: Melzer got a lucky break in the form of a first-round retirement from Edouard Roger-Vasselin. Having to face a red-hot Raonic means the luck has run out. Raonic in 2.
(4) Kei Nishikori vs. Donald Young: Almost nobody on tour has been hotter than Nishikori of late–or even throughout the whole season. The hot streak is not going to run out playing at home in Japan, at least not until the semis or final. Nishikori in 2.
Jeremy Chardy vs. (7) Kevin Anderson: Surprisingly, this will be the first-ever meeting between Anderson and Chardy. Anderson vs. Thiem in the opening round may have featured the most high-quality tennis of this whole week so far. Anderson in 3.
