Tuesday match picks, including Wawrinka vs. Paire

Rogers Cup

First round

Radek Stepanek vs. Gael Monfils: Monfils has not played since a bizarre second-round loss to Jiri Vesely at Wimbledon. For many reasons, not the least of which is recurring knee trouble, Monfils cannot be trusted right now. Stepanek in 3.

(12) Richard Gasquet vs. Vasek Pospisil: Pospisil got the best of Gasquet in three sets last week in the Washington, D.C. semifinals. That may work against him here, because the Canadian has to be fatigued while Gasquet is more well-rested. Pospisil also has the pressure of playing at home and defending semifinal points. Gasquet in 3.

Santiago Giraldo vs. (WC) Nick Kyrgios: Kyrgios is taking the court for the first time since stunning Rafael Nadal en route to the Wimbledon quarterfinals. For the first time in his career, he must now deal with major expectations. It does not help that Giraldo is in great form. Giraldo in 3.

Mikhail Youzhny vs. (6) Fabio Fognini: Fognini destroyed Youzhny in doubles on Monday, but no matter. The Italian does not look particularly motivated these days and the surface certainly won’t help him in this one. Youzhny often does his best work on North American hard courts. Youzhny in 2.

(17) Tommy Robredo vs. Philipp Kohlschreiber: Robredo leads the head-to-head series 4-3, but Kohlschreiber has won three in a row–including a 6-2, 6-4 earlier this season on the clay courts of Rome. A hard-court surface against Robredo, of course, will be even better for the German. Kohlschreiber in 3.

Gilles Simon vs. Dominic Thiem: Both men went back to clay after Wimbledon, but Simon will likely have an easier time making an adjustment. Thiem is making a quick turnaround after finishing runner-up in Kitzbuhel last weekend. Simon in 3.

(SE) Donald Young vs. (WC) Frank Dancevic: Dancevic often fares well at home in Canada, but current form gives a decided edge to Young. The American played his way into the field by reaching the Washington, D.C. semifinals. If Dancevic serves well, though, an upset is possible. Young in 3.

(WC) Jack Sock vs. Jurgen Melzer: Melzer is slowing down just a bit at 33 years old, while Sock is entering his prime at 21. The American is playing great in both singles and doubles (Wimbledon and Atlanta champion), so he has a ton of momentum. Sock in 2.

Joao Sousa vs. (11) Ernests Gulbis: Gulbis is in the midst of his most consistent season on tour. He crushed Sousa in Indian Wells, but the Latvian has not played a match since an early exit at Wimbledon. Sousa will be competitive, but he may not be able to steal a set on hards. Gulbis in 2.

Yen-Hsun Lu vs. Marcel Granollers: Somehow, these two veterans have never played each other at any professional level. Granollers is underrated on hard courts and Lu is not in good form at the moment. Granollers in 2.

Andreas Seppi vs. (Q) Brayden Schnur: The 19-year-old Canadian is contesting his first ATP-level main-draw match after successfully getting through qualifying. Seppi is not a bad draw for the youngster, but this is still too big of a step up in competition. Seppi in 2.

Second round

(3) Stan Wawrinka vs. (Q) Benoit Paire: Paire is beginning to play decent tennis again, but he needed three hard-fought sets to get past Alejandro Falla on Monday. This will be entertaining between two extremely good friends, but it may not be overly competitive. Wawrinka in 2.

(WC) Peter Polansky vs. (2) Roger Federer: Polansky took down Jerzy Janowicz on Monday. That sounds good, but it really isn’t anything to write home about. Janowicz is hopeless these days. Federer, on the other hand, is not. This one will be quick. Federer in 2.

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