Top seeded Novak Djokovic and nine time champion Rafael Nadal make their first appearance in Paris as they begin their quest for history at the Roland Garros on Day 3 of the French Open as the remaining 19 matches in the men’s singles first round will be on offer. Djokovic who needs to win the title to become only the eighth male player to complete the career slam will play the veteran left hander Jarrko Nieminen of Finland while Rafael Nadal seeking an unprecedented tenth title opens his title bid against wild card Quentin Halys of France.

Here is a list of matches to be played on day 3 in the men’s section with my picks mentioned first :-

Novak Djokovic (1) v. Jarrko Nieminen
Rafael Nadal (6) v. Quentin Halys
David Ferrer (7) v. Lucas Lacko
Marin Cillic (9) v. Robin Haase
Grigor Dmitrov (10) v. Jack Sock
Kevin Anderson (15) v. Tim Smyczek
John Isner (16) v. Andreas Seppi
Richard Gasquet (20) v. Germain Gigounon
Leonardo Mayer (23) v. Jiri Vesley
Jeremy Chardy v. Michael Berrer
Vasek Pospisil v. Joao Sousa
Giles Muller v. Paolo Lorenzi
James Duckworth v. Andrea Arnaboldi
Pablo Carreno Busta v. Victor Estrella Burgos
Jerzy Janowicz v. Maxime Hamou
Alexander Dolgopolov v. Nicholas Almagro
Carlos Berlocq v. Illya Marchenko
Blaz Kavcic v. Yen Hsun Lu
Joao Souza v. Daniel Gimeno Traver

On Day 2 of the tournament Andy Murray and Tomas Berdych had straight set wins and they were joined by local favourites Gilles Simon, Gael Monfils and Benoit Paire. Adrienne Mannarino the 30th seeded Frenchman was eliminated by the Austrian former top ten player Juergen Melzer in a battle of left handers. The eleventh seeded Spaniard Feliciano Lopez of Spain was also upset by the Russian Teymuraz Gabashvili in straight sets, there were wins for other Spanish veterans Tommy Robredo and Fernando Verdasco. Also winning were the Australians Bernard Tomic and the Special K duo Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis.

Maria Sharapova began her title defence in emphatic style beating the Estonian Kaia Kanepi 6-2,6-4 but there were mixed fortunes for two former world number Ones. Victoria Azarenka was victorious but Venus Williams was beaten by her compatriot Sloane Stephens. Former finalists Samantha Stosur and Sara Errani progressed as did Angelique Kerber, Carla Suarez Navarro, Alize Cornet, Heather Watson, Agnieska Radwanska and Sabine Lisicki. The top seed Serena Williams and the Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova play their opening matches on Tuesday

– Rasesh Mehta [Rasesh Mehta is an analyst with the Tennis Galaxy.You can reach him at the email: sportzcosmos@gmail.com]