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The Spaniard on a six-match winning streak

This is the first match for the South African after a three-week break. Garcia-Lopez is keeping up his rhythm. He didn't lose since winning Bucharest, and easily beat his compatriot in the qualifiers here. He'll probably also be motivated by trying to confirm the seed status for Roland Garros

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Anderson is a Top 20 player with the ambition of getting to Top 10. He got eliminated in his first match only once this season, right at the beginning of the year, but he didn't have any big wins, either. The only one that stands out is the one against Gasquet, at the Australian Open. He got the others when he was an obvious favorite. He only won one out of three semifinals, so he still has only two ATP titles in his career. Not enough for someone trying to get to the Top 10, and not enough for someone who's got 7-41 against Top 10 players.

The South African started playing clay in Houston. He beat Delbonis and Chardy, players with a good record on clay, and then he lost to Sock. There was only one break in that duel, and the American got his first ATP title later on.

- I looked slow and played too passively from the baseline in some moments, but I have to admit Jack played great. Too bad I didn't use that break-ball when he served for the win. It could have made it more interesting - Anderson commented on his Houston defeat.

Anderson is 203cm tall. Sometimes, you have to be reminded of that because you could think he doesn't play well on clay. Not true. He moves very well for a player this tall, and most importantly, he doesn't have a weak side. His backhand is effective, unlike most of the tennis giants'. Two years ago, he played Casablanca final, beat Čilić, Monaco and Melzer on clay. He didn't do as well last year, but he'll face a player in a great form right in the first match of the European tour.

Garcia-Lopez continued his winning streak. He won Bucharest last week, losing only one set. True, he could have lost in straight sets against Vesely, it wouldn't have been unfair, but he used his experience to win a tight match. Even though fatigue might have been a factor, the motivation was definitely more important. He's the 31st player of the world right now, and he probably wants to secure the status of a seed player at the Roland Garros, to avoid the best players in the first rounds.

Even though it's only been two days since the final, he was very convincing against Carballes Baena. His compatriot gave him a hard time in Casablanca last year. He was powerless this time. He kept up till 2-2, and than Garcia-Lopez lined up four games. Baena got a break-advantage at the beginning of the second set, but only won one game till the end of the match. The more experienced Spaniard had a reason to feel happy. He won 85% first serve points, and only allowed one break, having 12 on the return himself.

Anderson is going to have a hard time because he played his last match in the USA three weeks ago. In conditions like these, serve isn't that much of an advantage. On the other hand, the Spaniard is rising, and his game didn't get any worse since winning the title last week. He's probably thinking about the seed status at the Roland Garros, and both times Anderson beat him was at the hardcourt.