The 2020 Cincinnati Masters may be kicking off in unfamiliar surroundings, having been moved from its traditional home in Mason, Ohio to the Billie Jean King National Tennis Centre in New York. But it nonetheless marks a more than welcome return for men’s tennis, over five months after the season was suspended ahead of the Sunshine Double. And a number of star names, including former-champions Andy Murray and Marin Cilic are in action on day one. But who will reach the second round?
Cincinnati Masters Day One Predictions
Kyle Edmund vs Kevin Anderson
Head-to-head: Edmund 1-1 Anderson
The return to action of Kyle Edmund and Kevin Anderson should be watched with real interest. Both men have enjoyed some sterling successes in the past, particularly the South African, but both have also struggled with injuries and uncertain form since. Edmund arrives into this match in marginally the better position, having won the New York Open in February before reaching the quarterfinals in Acapulco, although he was well-beaten there by Taylor Fritz.
Anderson, however, may well have benefitted from the extended break in the season, having been battling against a series of debilitating shoulder injuries since the start of the 2018 season. But at 34, there is some question over whether he will ever get back to being the player who reached two Grand Slam finals in the space of 12 months. He does still have the quality to cause his opponents problems, but expect the younger and sharper Edmund to edge it.
Prediction: Edmund in 3
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Pablo Carreno Busta vs Dusan Lajovic
Head-to-head: Carreno Busta 1-1 Lajovic
This is perhaps the pick of the first-round action at the Cincinnati Masters. Dusan Lajovic and Pablo Carreno Busta are separated by just two places in the ATP rankings, with the Serbian currently ranked 23rd in the world and the Spaniard 25th. That suggests that this could well be a close encounter. And it should also be an enjoyable one with Lajovic an aggressive stroke player with an excellent one-handed backhand and Carreno Busta a fine mover and tough competitor.
But which one of them will have the edge in New York? The courts in North America tend to favour the big hitters, but Carreno Busta has reasons to feel confident. For one thing, he reached the US Open semifinals in 2017 and for another he possesses an excellent backhand, a shot he excels at taking down the line. That should serve him well against Lajovic, who though not quite lumbering in his movement around the court, is not one of the best movers in the game.
Prediction: Carreno Busta in 3
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Taylor Fritz vs Lloyd Harris
Head-to-head: first meeting
Taylor Fritz has made impressive strides over the past 18 months and may well have been frustrated to see his progress arrested by the suspension of the season due to the coronavirus pandemic and last year reached finals in Atlanta and Los Cabos before finishing as runner-up in Acapulco in February. His game is not without weaknesses, chiefly a concerning passivity at times, but he looks increasingly ready to really challenge at the top of the game.
Lloyd Harris, meanwhile, has also played some fine tennis so far in fledgling career and looks to have a solid career ahead of him. But he may struggle to really challenge a player of Fritz’s quality. His serve and forehand are dangerous weapons, but he can struggle to tame his power with accuracy and has shown a tendency to lose focus dramatically. Expect the dependable Fritz to outmanoeuvre his opponent and book his place in the second round at the Cincinnati Masters.
Prediction: Fritz in 2
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Tommy Paul vs Ricardas Berankis
Head-to-head: Paul 1-0 Berankis
It has often been hard to understand the lack of opportunities afforded to Tommy Paul. The American has impressed on the rare occasions he has found his way on to the big stage he has impressed. In 2017, he pushed Kei Nishikori to the brink in the quarterfinals at the Washington Open and last season took a set off Dominic Thiem at Roland Garros. In spite of that, he has been given few wildcards by the USTA and has appeared to be out of favour with the tennis administration in the USA.
But he has begun to establish himself on the men’s tour regardless and enters the Cincinnati Masters at a career-high 57th in the world rankings. But he faces a potentially tricky first-round test up against the experienced campaigner Ricardas Berankis, once the top-ranked junior in the world. The Lithuanian has not translated that early promise into success at the highest-level, but he is a solid professional. But, Paul’s power off the forehand wing gives him a weapon Berankis cannot match and that should prove the difference.
Prediction: Paul in 3
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