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Ferrer is the favorite again, but showing respect for Gimeno

It was an easy job for Ferrer in the first round. He faced a long-time customer who never had success in the clay season, nor was ready for Paris. Now he'll face a compatriot who finally ended his series of GS defeats. Gimeno is hoping to be able to make life hard for Ferrer, and Ferrer respects that, but it's obvious who the favorite is

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Lacko never really had success in Paris, or on clay in general, so he didn't even play clay this season. Also, he got a son a week ago, so he probably didn't practice much. If he had any hopes before the tournament began, that definitely changed when he saw the lot. Considering all that, and the history of the matches they played, Ferrer was probably the worst possible pick. Which was confirmed once again.

Even though Lacko had two game-balls at 2-0 at the beginning, he only got that one game in the first set. In the second, there was no break-balls in the first six games, and then Ferrer sped up. He won nine out of the last 10 games. The match lasted only a bit over 80 minutes. Ferrer will only remember this one because it was the 300th clay win in his career.

- It's just a number and has no big meaning. I played clay a lot, won a lot of matches, and I'm proud of that. Round numbers are more interesting to the media - Ferrer said in what was not his usual manner, and he also commented:

- It was an easy match. Lacko served better in the second set, so it was harder, but only in some games. I can say I controlled the match from the beginning to the end easily. Lacko isn't as successful as before, so no sense in making comparisons. I know it was fast.

Gulbis would definitely like this statement, he's really bothered with cliche statements when the players always compliment their opponents after crushing them on the court. Ferrer wasn't being polite this time. He crushed Lacko, like he always did, and now he'll face another opponent with a similar past. He never lost a set to Gimeno in three matches they played.

His compatriot celebrated in three sets. He had a good lot, but his job was more difficult. Luckily, his opponent had no self-confidence, and that's why it ended in three sets. It definitely could have been more complicated. Souza came to Paris with an eight-defeats run, which is not even the worst part. His return was powerless in the last weeks, so he didn't get a break on the clay even against Mahut.

There were no break-balls in the first set. The Brazilian lead 2-0 in the tie-break, then lost two points in a row after 5-5. That was precisely because of his lack of self-confidence. In the second, Gimeno took an early break lead. He didn't lose his serve, but he also saved eight break-balls in three games, including two on the set-serve. He oscillated in the third set, as well, when we saw four breaks in a row, but his win in three sets was a sure thing.

It wasn't impressive, but sometimes the hardest thing is to win matches you have to win. Gimeno knows there weren't many better opponents in the lot than Souza who's been having a crisis for months now. Now, he'll take the role of an outsider, but there are always special circumstances when compatriots play each other.

- It won't be easy because Gimeno's got a great forehand, and I know he's feeling very confident. He had good results this season - Ferrer praised his compatriot, and it seems Gimeno trusts himself, too:

- Ferrer is the favorite, but I know how to play clay and I know I can win. I know David's game pretty well, and I think I have a chance.

The matches they played so far aren't a fact that works in Gimeno's favor. Even though he got 10 break-balls in Rio, made two breaks, he only had seven games in the end. The other two matches are five and six years old, so they aren't really any kind of a measure, but we could mention that he only got three break-balls in those five sets. They're probably together at the practices. Gimeno is from Valencia where Ferrer spends his time when he's not playing, but the role of the favorite still goes to Ferrer. Gimeno connected Grand Slam wins only once in his career, and had seven GS defeats in a row before beating Souza.