“I’m more mature,” Ivanovic told reporters. “Comparing my game to last year, it’s improved. There are some areas that I’ve added to and I feel really confident on the court. I have a very good opportunity to do well again here, and I love playing here on clay.”

“I don’t think I’ve played that well since San Jose (February),” Blake said. “I really felt like my old self out there, it’s the first time in a long time. Even if I don’t win another match here I’ll still feel good about my clay game. But I’m not ready to stop, I would really like to win this tournament.”

If Simon can get past American Robert Kendrick in his opener, he is looking at a possible second-round match up with wildcard and former French Open winner Gaston Gaudio. Russian Nikolay Davydenko, if he advances to the second round, is looking at a potential match-up with unseeded former No. 1 and former French Open winner Juan Carlos Ferrero of Spain.