Barcelona R2 previews and predictions: Paire vs. Gabashvili, Chardy vs. Estrella Burgos

Frenchmen Benoit Paire and Jeremy Chardy will kick off their Barcelona campaigns following first-round byes. They are set for respective Tuesday encounters with Teymuraz Gabashvili and Victor Estrella Burgos.

(6) Benoit Paire vs. Teymuraz Gabashvili

Paire and Gabashvili will be going head-to-head for the first time in their careers when they clash in round two of the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell on Tuesday. Gabashvili just barely survived on Monday, coming back from a set and 5-3 down and saving two match points in a 1-6, 7-6(3), 6-2 victory over Nicolas Almagro. It was a much-needed win for the 54th-ranked Russian, who had lost his opening match in five consecutive tournaments prior to this week.

The story was a similar one for Paire last week, as he had been 1-5 in his last six matches heading into a first-round Monte-Carlo match against Inigo Cervantes. Paire fought off one match point before eventually beating the Spaniard in a third-set tiebreaker. The 22nd-ranked Frenchman saw his momentum evaporate in the last 16 when he squandered a set and a double-break lead in the second against Andy Murray, who stormed back to prevail 2-6, 7-5, 7-5. Gabashvili’s mental state and confidence will be far superior in the aftermath of his clutch performance against Almagro.

Pick: Gabashvili in 2

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(13) Jeremy Chardy vs. Victor Estrella Burgos

Chardy and Granollers will also be squaring off for the first time in their careers on Tuesday. Like Paire, Chardy is coming off a tough three-set loss in Monte-Carlo. The 33rd-ranked Frenchman opened with an impressive straight-set defeat of Andrey Kuznetsov before succumbing to Roberto Bautista Agut 6-3, 5-7, 7-5. Chardy is an even 9-9 for his 2016 campaign, which includes quarterfinal showings in Doha, Sydney, and Delray Beach.

Estrella Burgos booked his spot in the second round by taking out Mikhail Kukushkin 3-6, 6-2, 6-2 on Monday. The Dominican Republic native is still going strong at 35 years old, with a 7-6 ATP-level record in 2016 and a ranking of 78th in the world. But he has slumped since capturing a second consecutive title at the Ecuador Open, having dropped five consecutive matches prior to his arrival in Barcelona. Chardy’s form against Bautista Agut was especially impressive albeit in a loss and he should be able to extend the woes of an opponent who is struggling mightily.

Pick: Chardy in 2

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