Marcos Baghdatis (1.73) v Jeremy Chardy (2.25)

Chardy has won both of their previous meetings, which have both been on hard-courts since 2009, including at this year’s Rogers Cup. However, three of the four sets he’s won in these matches have been via tie-breaks.

Since 2009 Baghdatis has lost 12 of 22 matches when 1.6-2.0 to win, including five of the last six such matches. Furthermore, the Cypriot has lost five of his last nine matches against players now ranked 26-100, and he was a bigger favourite in all of those matches.

Chardy has come through qualifying and has been in good form over the summer as he’s won 10 of his last 15 matches with three of those defeats coming against top-10 players. Furthermore, he’s W10-L10 since 2009 when 2.0-2.5 to win and has W8-L8 in the past six months against players currently ranked 11-50, including winning three of his last four such matches.

Recommendation: Chardy to win at 2.25, Victor Chandler

Gilles Simon (1.95) v Stanislas Wawrinka (2)

Wawrinka was excellent at the US Open but surprisingly lost his only match since, against Kukushkin in Davis Cup, and this is his first tournament for a month. The Swiss has lost four of seven matches against players ranked 11-50 since May.

Simon claimed the recent title in Metz and has won 10 of his last 12 matches with his only defeats coming against the top two in the world. Furthermore, Simon has won seven of 11 matches since 2008 when 1.8-2.2 to win and unlike Wawrinka he’s historically played his best tennis post US Open with four of his seven career titles coming at this time of the year.

Recommendation: Simon to win at 1.95, BWin

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (1.88) v Feliciano Lopez (2.2)

Tsonga has won both their previous meetings. However the Frenchman is returning after three months out injured and was beaten by Nieminen last week in Tokyo in his first match since Wimbledon. Moreover, since 2008 he’s lost eight of 13 matches when 1.7-2.0 to win, including each of his last three.

Lopez thrashed another top player returning from injury last week in the shape of Juan Martin Del Potro and was a semi-finalist here a year ago. Furthermore, he’s won five of his last seven matches against players now ranked 11-25 on hard courts.

Recommendation: Lopez to win at 2.1, Stan James