Gilles Simon plays Italy's Flavio Cipolla in Wednesday's evening session at the Open Sud de France in Montpellier.
Simon reached a career high of six in the world three years ago and at the end of 2011, the French star looked like he was well on his way back into the top ten, finishing the season ranked 12.
He began 2012 well, reaching the Brisbane semi-finals but made an early exit at the Australian Open. Simon has never performed particularly well in Melbourne, often struggling in the heat and he lost in five sets to compatriot Julien Benneteau.
Strangely enough his counter-punching game is often most effective on fast indoor courts and he'll be hoping he can live up to his billing of second seed this week. He'll need to find his form quickly as if he beats Cipolla, he's likely to be playing in-form fifth seed Feliciano Lopez in the quarters.
The nuggety Cipolla is a master of mixing up the play and frustrating opponents with his speed and slices. He outfoxed the big serving Marc Gicquel 1-6, 6-4, 7-5 in round one.
Prediction: Simon in three.
