On day two of this unusual ATP Cincinnati Masters which has been relocated to New York’s Billie Jean King National Tennis Center there promises to be plenty of exciting tennis. There are a number of intriguing contests on the schedule, with Karen Khachanov, who opens his campaign against Alexander Bublik, and top-ranked American John Isner, who faces a tough test against Hubert Hurkacz, in action. But who will advance?
Cincinnati Masters Day Two Predictions
John Millman vs Adrian Mannarino
Head-to-head: Millman 1-0 Mannarino
After falling agonisingly short against Roger Federer at the Australian Open in January, John Millman may well have been glad of the time to refresh mentally afforded by the suspension of the season in February. However, he faces a tough first-round draw at the Cincinnati Masters in the shape of the veteran Adrian Mannarino. The Frenchman did endure a torrid start to 2020, winning just two of his first nine matches, but will surely view this as the chance for a fresh start.
In their only previous meeting, it was Millman who came out on top, recovering from losing the first set to record a 4-6 6-3 6-4 win in the first round at the Japan Open in Tokyo. It was a match defined by long rallies and their second meeting seems likely to follow a similar pattern. Both men are excellent athletes and cover the court well, but neither possesses a standout weapon. Millman does have a greater ability to inject pace, however, which proved the difference in Tokyo. Expect a similar outcome in New York.
Prediction: Millman in 3
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Dan Evans vs Andrey Rublev
Head-to-head: Evans 2-2 Rublev
This will not have been a first-round draw that Andrey Rublev relished. The Russian enjoyed a superb start to the season, winning back-to-back titles in Doha and Adelaide before reaching the fourth round at Melbourne Park. But his winning run began to stutter in Rotterdam and Dubai, where he made quarterfinal exits. And the latter defeat was dealt by none other than Dan Evans, who recorded a fairly comprehensive 6-2 7-6 win.
In that match, Evans was consistently able to keep Rublev off balance with his sliced backhand and he denied the Russian rhythm with consistent forays to the net. However, there are few hard courts that play faster than those at the Dubai Tennis Championships. On the slower, grittier courts at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, it may well prove harder for Evans to keep Rublev on the back foot. And there are few players more effective when dictating than the Russian.
Prediction: Rublev in 3
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Grigor Dimitrov vs Ugo Humbert
Head-to-head: Dimitrov 1-0 Humbert
One can never be quite sure what to expect from Dimitrov. At his best, the Bulgarian is a superb player, capable of beating his opponents in a variety of ways. But all too often, his variety appears to be the cause of his downfall as he seems to struggle to decide on the best approach. His backhand is also a real weakness at times, with Dimitrov particularly vulnerable when trying to hit it above his shoulder. That does not bode well for his chances against the left-handed Ugo Humbert.
The Frenchman looks to have a bright future ahead of him and has already demonstrated real quality, not least in reaching the fourth round at the All England Club and winning the Auckland Open. His forehand is the pick of his shots and he will surely look to target the Dimitrov backhand with it in cross-court exchanges. With Humbert able to impart heavy topspin to the ball from that wing, that is a pattern of play that Dimitrov must work hard to avoid.
A good serving day will be vital for the Bulgarian as a result. It was largely thanks to an accurate serving display, as well as early aggression with his own forehand, that Dimitrov was able to rally from a set down to beat Humbert in their only previous meeting, which came last year at the Paris Masters. But on the slow, high-bouncing courts in Flushing Meadows, where Dimitrov has historically struggled despite a semifinal run last season, Humbert looks to be in good position to pull off the upset.
Prediction: Humbert in 2
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Norbert Gombos vs Marton Fucsovics
Head-to-head: Fucsovics 2-1 Gombos
This may not be one of the headline clashes on day two at the Cincinnati Masters, but it could well prove to be an entertaining one. Norbert Gombos was made to work exceptionally hard for his place in the main draw, first battling past the Italian Stefano Travaglia, 7-6 4-6 6-4, and then edging out South Korea’s Kwon Soon-woo, 7-6 6-7 6-4. That should have shaken off any rust accumulated while the season was suspended, but it may also have left him mentally and physically fatigued.
Marton Fucsovics made rather smoother progress into the main draw, dismantling the USA’s Brandon Nakashima for the loss of only six games before hammering Pedro Martinez of Spain 6-1 6-2. He will surely be full of confidence as a result and also enjoys a good record against Gombos, having won their two most recent meetings. And looking at their respective form in the Cincinnati Masters qualifying, it would be a surprise if the Hungarian did not make it a hat-trick of wins.
Prediction: Fucsovics in 2
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Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Kevin Anderson
Head-to-head: Tsitsipas 2-1 Anderson
Two-time Grand Slam finalist Kevin Anderson delivered a reminder of his enduring quality with a battling three-set win over Kyle Edmund in the first round at the Cincinnati Masters. Despite struggling with cramps late in the second set, the South African hung tough and trusted in his power, both on serve and from the baseline, to dig out the win and he was rewarded with a 7-6 4-6 6-3 victory and a place in the second round.
It was a win that suggested the lengthy break in the season has served him well, giving his battered body time to heal, with the former-world #5 having been battling a succession of injuries almost without respite since the start of 2019. But he has arguably been dealt a tough hand as the only player obliged to play on both day one and two in Flushing Meadows. Particularly as his second-round opponent is fourth seed and ATP Finals champion Stefanos Tsitsipas.
The Greek endured a poor start to his season in Australia, crashing out in the fourth round in Melbourne, but he rebounded to win the title in Marseille before reaching the final at the Dubai Tennis Championships. And after Anderson’s exertions against Edmund, it is hard to see the South African managing to stay with the exuberant Tsitsipas, who has won two of their three previous meetings. Expect him to prove too strong once again.
Prediction: Tsitsipas in 2
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