One wonders whether Djokovic will have a 2012 like he did in 2011.  It almost didn’t seem that way after an indifferent match against Russian, Sergiy Stakhovsky, who took a minibreak lead twice in the first set tiebreak, but gave up minibreaks as well to lose the first set.  Stakhovsky went up an early break to Djokovic, but Djokovic broke back twice to take the second set 6-3.  Up next for Djokovic is compatriot and number 2 Serb, Janko Tipsarevic.  Tipsarevic needed three sets to beat Italian Cipolla, but the two sets he won were lopsided.  Tipsarevic last played Djokovic in the year-end championship in London, which Tipsarevic won.  However, Djokovic was not his best then, so expect Djokovic to win.

Andy Murray had played sluggishly in his opening round against Michael Berrer, but cleaned up his play in the second round, beating Marco Chiudinelli 63 64.   Murray plays Berdych next.  The last time they player was in Paris where Murray lost to Berdych in the quarterinfals.  Berdych is a good test for Murray because he’s good enough to give Murray trouble.  It will be a good indicator of where Murray’s game is.  Berdych had an easy win 61, 62 over Lukas Lacko.

In the bottom half, del Potro will face Tsonga.  The two met in the semifinals of Marseille which del Potro won.  This event is outdoors (Marseille was indoors), so it’ll be interesting to see how it goes.  Federer will face Youzhny who upset Mardy Fish.  Fish has not played well in 2012, except for his win over Wawrinka in Davis Cup.  Federer has never lost to Youzhny.