Rafael Nadal versus Benoit Paire

The list of heavy favorites to win Roland Garros this year starts and ends with Rafael Nadal.  The Spaniard has looked good all season, but especially so on his favored clay surface.  After winning Monte Carlo, Barcelona, and Madrid, most like his chances of also taking the Roland Garros crown for the tenth time in his illustrious career.  Based on where he is in the draw, it does not look like he should face much early opposition in his quest either. 

Potentially his toughest hurdle in these early rounds, however, is the man he faces first, Benoit Paire.  The Frenchman is a former Top 20 player who remains comfortably ranked within the Top 50.  He has a big serve, ample power from both wings, and with his height, is unlikely to be as bothered as some by Nadal's high-bouncing ground strokes.  When at his best, he can trouble anyone.  The issue for Paire is that he is going to have to redline his game and do so consistently against one of the greatest defenders of all time.  Nadal has stared down many a big ball-striker in the past with great success, and though Paire has the tools to make this entertaining, it will be a shock if Nadal makes an exit at this juncture.

Novak Djokovic versus Marcel Granollers

Last year, the top question coming into Roland Garros was whether Novak Djokovic could complete the career Grand Slam.  This year, he once again arrives in Paris with a question mark, but it is not about whether he can defend his title, but rather can he rediscover his top form to put together a solid run.  The Serb has spent the better part of the last year looking like a shadow of the man who won here in 2016, but in recent weeks, he has steadily looked more like his dominant self. 

With Andre Agassi here to assist, there is a sense of even more confidence about the Djokovic Camp.  That said, if he wants to send a statement to the rest of the field – and himself – that he is going to continue his upward trend, he needs to look the part in his opening match, which is not a given against Marcel Granollers.  Granollers is now ranked outside of the Top 70 and primarily currently makes his living as one of the top doubles players, but he is a seasoned veteran, who was once a Top 20 singles player.  He does not have any weapons to hurt Djokovic, and his superior skills in the forecourt in comparison to the Serb's are negligible.  He does have the kind of game coupled with the experience to upset Djokovic, however, if the second seed turns in one of the more lackluster performances that have plagued him the last several months.  Thankfully, that seems an unlikely scenario, so look for Djokovic to keep his perfect record against the Spaniard intact.

Alexander Zverev versus Fernando Verdasco

The man just recently turned twenty, but Alexander Zverev has made the tennis world stand up and take notice.  He was touted as one of the most promising of the young talents coming up the ranks, and he has delivered in a hurry.  Already, he has four titles in his burgeoning career, the most recent coming this spring in Rome, where he defeated Novak Djokovic and catapulted into the Top 10.  What was most impressive in that victory in Rome was that Zverev looked like he believed he belonged there.  There were scant signs of nerves, suggesting that not only was he ready for that moment but perhaps ready for the big moments at the majors as well.  Fans will get a taste of how ready he is when he takes on Fernando Verdasco, an opponent that could pose some problems.

Verdasco may not be in his prime, but he is still ranked with the Top 40.  His lefty forehand remains a shot to be reckoned with, and he has a nice serve and decent net skills to go along with it.  Furthermore, he has plenty of experience and has caused a few notable upsets at the majors.  He will not shy away from the challenge of playing Zverev and could take the young German out of his comfort zone.  Still, Zverev is the better player and the one in the ascendancy.  If he holds his nerve and stays focused, he gets through this one to move on to the second round.