The ATP Cincinnati Masters will start in earnest on Monday, after only two Main Draw matches Sunday. Who will advance to the second round of the Western & Southern Open? Let’s break down the matches for you. We also have predictions for more Monday matches, including Andy Murray’s first singles match since January.
ATP Cincinnati Monday Predictions
Denis Kudla vs Lucas Pouille
Head-to-head: 1-1
Kudla should get some support from the crowd, and beat Pouille on a similar surface in Washington last year. Still, Pouille is playing too well right now and the American isn’t doing much noteworthy.
Prediction: Pouille in 3
Jordan Thompson vs Yoshihito Nishioka
Head-to-head: Nishioka 2-0
Thompson wins the mustache battle in this matchup, but that’s about it. Nishioka is very quietly a solid player, and he does very well on hard courts. Don’t be surprised to see the youngster from Japan succeed in Cincinnati.
Prediction: Nishioka in 3
Pablo Carreno Busta vs Gilles Simon
Head-to-head: 3-2 Carreno Busta
Both of these players are strong counterpunchers, and not much separates the two. Both players have had solid summers, but neither has been particularly special. Expect some long rallies, and whoever can stay solid longer will win. I’ll trust Simon for that. Barely.
Prediction: Simon in 3
Reilly Opelka vs Borna Coric
Head-to-head: Never played
Coric is the better player and has the much better upside, but he’s been out of sorts for a while now. Against the huge-serving Opelka on hard courts, that’s a problem. Anyone can win in tiebreaks, but Opelka is the easier call here.
Prediction: Opelka in 2
Marin Cilic vs Radu Albot
Head-to-head: Cilic 1-0
Cilic’s form could use some work, and the lead-up to the US Open is the perfect time. The Croatian has won a Slam on this surface, and now he needs to find his form again. Albot is in the middle of the best year of his life, but it probably won’t be enough here.
Prediction: Cilic in 3
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