ATP Paris, 3rd Round Predictions: Nadal-Janowicz and Djokovic-Isner

1. Novak Djokovic v John Isner

Novak Djokovic

Surprisingly, Novak Djokovic was given quite a workout in his first match of the week against Pierre-Hugues Herbert.  The young Frenchman, who had won his first match on the ATP tour against Benoit Paire in round one, hung well with the world number two and even held 2 set points, which were superbly staved off by Djokovic with textbook serving from a champion.  Herbert gave a fine account himself, but eventually lost 7-6(3) 6-3.  Djokovic will now play John Isner, who needed 3 sets to get past Michal Przysiezny.  The huge American has a good record over Djokovic with two previous wins at Indian Wells (2012) and Cincy earlier this year.  There is no doubt Isner can unsettle the Serb, but Djokovic has been in fine form recently and Isner has not looked as solid as he was on home soil.  Advantage Djokovic...

Prediction - Djokovic to beat Isner in 2 tight sets

2. Rafael Nadal v Jerzy Janowicz

Jerzy Janowicz announced himself on tour this time last year where he beat Philipp Kohlschreiber, Marin Cilic, Andy Murray, Janko Tipsarevic and Gilles Simon to make the final of Paris.  Defending those final points was always going to be a challenge, but meeting Rafael Nadal in the third round will be a stern test indeed.  The Pole defeated Santiago Giraldo in straight sets and has made a pretty sound comeback from injury with two losses since the US Open to Ernests Gulbis and David Ferrer in 3 sets.  Nadal was made to word hard for his second round win as he came past fellow Spaniard, Marcel Granollers, 7-5 7-5 in 1 hour and 42 minutes.  Nadal and Janowicz have met once on the ATP tour in an entertaining match in Canada this year where Janowicz certainly had his chances to get at least a set, but eventually came up second best, 7-6(6) 6-4.  Nadal has never excelled indoors and Janowicz obviously likes these courts so I fancy he could scoop a set in this one.

Prediction - Nadal to beat Janowicz in 3 sets

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