We have a very nice edition of the 2012 BNP PARIBAS MASTERS in Paris. All top players, but Rafa are there. Actually the line up really looks like a grand slam!

1ST QUARTER – Federer

Last year Federer had a fantastic tournament to win it in style. (see the above video)

This year the big question is: Will Roger play? That is very possible if the semifinal and the final in Basel are not tough for the Swiss. This is a very possible scenario as the Swiss has an “easy” semis agains Mathieu and in the final he may play a very tired Del Potro.

Back to Paris this is our prediction

2nd round – Simon/Baghdatis
Both playing at the same level, difficult to pick one

3rd round – Nishikori
The Japanese is in good form, but he shouldn’t have any chance with Federer. They played once in the 2011 final in Basel and it was an embarassing 6-1 6-3 for Roger 

Quarters – Berdych
Tough guy, Roger lost 4 matches in the last 7 games with him.
Federer defeated Berdych 6-3 6-4 last year in Paris in the semifinals.

Semifinals – Murray
Ahi ahi… time for the Swiss to serve and return better,

remember Shanghai?

 

2ND QUARTER – Murray

Andy once again did fall in Roger’s half and he finally didn’t have a horrible draw.

2nd round – Mathieu
the French is playing well, but he will be super tired and Murray is vastly stronger

3rd round – Cilic
Andy is too solid. Head to Head 7-1 for Andy

Quarters – Tipsarevic/Monaco
Strong players, but a good quarter for the Scott

Semifinals – Federer
A fresh Murray will have an edge against Roger

 

3RD QUARTER – Ferrer

This is a very balanced quarter.

2nd round – Youzhny/Granollers
difficult pick, David should win with both

3rd round –  Wawrinka
Stan is playing well… close match

Quarters – Tsonga
Paris + Indoor vs. Ferrer = Tsonga
Head to Head is 1-1. David won on clay, Jo on the grass (no surprise!)

Semifinal – Djokovic —> Nole is favorite against everybody at the moment.

 

4TH QUARTER – Djokovic 

Nole is the superfavorite, but he really had a horrible draw (couldn’t think any worse). His quarter is packed with erratic boom boom players (big servers and very unpredictable opponents). Nole is arguably the best returner at the moment (with Murray), but you’ll never know when you play against the Raonic, Isner etc… The good news for Nole is that all of them are not playing really well at the moment to have a disastrous performance in Valencia. 

2nd round – Querrey
First boom boom player, Sam is playing a decent tennis but he is to unconsistent

3rd round – Raonic
Very unpredictable, a horrible 3rd round for Djokovic

Quarters – Isner/Del Potro
The American is another dangerous customer, Delpo should be very tired (3rd back to back tournament… will he play?)

Semifinal – Tsonga
Jo is a wonderful player, but not solid enough for Nole… but in Paris?
Head to Head is 8-5 for Nole, but on the court the Serb won the last 6 matches.