ATP Barcelona 2nd Round Predictions: Dimitrov-Robredo, Tomic-Monaco, Ramos-Janowicz

Today in Barcelona, Ernests Gulbis continued his excellent form of late with a comfortable 6-3 6-4 victory over Fernando Verdasco, who is rapidly speeding the wrong way down the rankings.  Tomas Berdych avoided another early upset as he saved a match point in a 3-6 7-5 6-4 victory over Nikolay Davydenko.  In Stuttgart, Ana Ivanovic and Nadia Petrova set up an enticing second rounder, meanwhile Sabine Lisicki also won through in straight sets, defeating Nastassya Burnett, 6-3 6-4.  Tomorrow, the remainder of first round matches take to the court in Stuttgart and the second round will wrap up in Barcelona...

1. Grigor Dimitrov v Tommy Robredo

Grigor Dimitrov

Two players who have already enjoyed success on the clay in 2013 will square off in this interesting second rounder.  Grigor Dimitrov had a great run in Monte-Carlo where he defeated Janko Tipsarevic and pushed Rafael Nadal to three sets in the quarter-finals.  Tommy Robredo had a surprise win in Casablanca a few weeks ago with top 30 wins over Stanislas Wawrinka and Kevin Anderson.  Robredo recovered from losing the first set to defeat qualifier and doubles specialist, Marc Lopez in the first round of Barcelona.  In a first ever match-up, I am favouring youth over experience...

Prediction - Dimitrov to beat Robredo in 3 tight sets

2. Bernard Tomic v Juan Monaco

Bernard Tomic has gone very quiet since a strong campaign down under, which included a first ATP title in Sydney and a run to the 3rd round in the Australian Open.  Tomic is not a clay courter, but enjoyed a tough win in the first round over Kenny De Schepper, 6-4 4-6 6-2.  His next challenge will be against Juan Monaco, who was knocked out by the eventual champion in Monte-Carlo, Novak Djokovic.  Tomic certainly has the ability to zone, but Monaco is very solid on the clay and should be too strong for the Aussie.

Prediction - Monaco to beat Tomic in 2 tight sets

3. Albert Ramos v Jerzy Janowicz

Looking for an upset? I would probably go for the final match on Pista Central tomorrow where the Spaniard, Albert Ramos will take on Jerzy Janowicz.  Ramos defeated Jan-Lennard Struff (great name) in straight sets, 6-4 7-6 to set up a second round clash with the 2012 Bercy runner-up.  Janowicz's year has been so-so; he has failed to fully back up the huge promise he showed in Paris at the back end of 2012.  I think he is going to struggle tomorrow as I did read that he was on antibiotics for an ear infection last week.  Ramos is a useful player on clay and with home advantage, I expect the Spaniard to prevail.

Prediction - Ramos to beat Janowicz in 2 sets

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Granollers to beat Kavcic in 3 sets

Paire to beat Andujar in 3 sets