Paris Picks, Day 3

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By Chris Oddo

(May 27, 2013) -- Each day during the French Open we'll provide you with three picks for the day ahead.

Roland Garros: Day 3 Order of Play

Stan Wawrinka vs. Thiemo De Bakker, Court 1, 3rd Match

The Swiss No. 2 is in the midst of what could become a breakthrough year. He's second on the ATP Tour in clay-court wins with 19, and he is fresh off a run through Portugal and Madrid that saw him defeat David Ferrer in one final and lose to Rafael Nadal the other. He was worn out from all the hard work and had to pull out of his second-rounder in Rome, but he should be fine now that he's had two weeks of rest.

The Franco Files: Recapping Day 2 in Paris

Look for Wawrinka to come out firing against a player who hasn't been able to get out of qualifying in his last four events. De Bakker is a talented player who can make shots, but he's still a far cry from his 2010 form that saw him move into the top 50.

Wawrinka, meanwhile, has all the shots and all the confidence right now.

Pick: Wawrinka in 3

Victoria Azarenka vs. Elena Vesnina, Court Philippe Chatrier, 4th Match

Everybody is talking about Serena Williams' and Maria Sharapova's chances of winning the title in Paris, and maybe that's a good thing for Victoria Azarenka, who can play under the radar and with a big, fat chip on her shoulder.

Day 2: Nadal Begins Title Defense with Gritty Win

Look for the Belarussian to get the ball rolling in breezy fashion on Tuesday, as she faces a woman that she's owned, having won all eight sets she has contested against Elena Vesnina.

Pick: Azarenka in 2

Guillermo Garcia Lopez vs. Jack Sock, Court 3, First Match

21-year-old Jack Sock raised a lot of eyebrows by qualifying for Roland Garros while toting a career record of 1-1 on clay. But can he withstand the refined, patient game of a classic clay-courter like Guillermo Garcia-Lopez? The Spaniard has 79 clay-court victories under his belt, and reached a final on the surface just over a month ago in Bucharest.

It will be a challenge for Sock, to be sure, but the American has shown a lot of moxie in big matches before. Win or lose, the experience should be a great one for one of America's brightest prospects. But expect Garcia-Lopez, who will turn 30 on June 4th, to win it with experience and dirt know-how.

Pick: Garcia-Lopez in 4

(Photo Credit: AP)