Day 3 of the ATP Masters 1000 event in Cincinnati will see a lot of Round 2 action, including the debut of recent Wimbledon semifinalist Denis Shapovalov.
We also predict the rest of Tuesday’s ATP Cincinnati matches, split between three other articles. They feature Roberto Bautista Agut vs Grigor Dimitrov, Lloyd Harris vs Alexander Zverev, and Matteo Berrettini vs Albert Ramos-Vinolas.
ATP Cincinnati Day 3 Predictions
Sebastian Korda vs Laslo Djere
Head-to-head: first meeting
Korda has shown great form recently, despite an early loss at Washington against eventual champion Jannik Sinner, and he’s facing an opponent who’s only won two matches on hardcourt all year. The young rising American shouldn’t have too many issues in this one.
Prediction: Korda in 2
Dusan Lajovic vs Gael Monfils
Head-to-head: Monfils 1-0 Lajovic
Monfils had his best week since February 2020 in Canada, with a quarterfinal appearance, and will be looking to build on it this week. Lajovic also had a good tournament, with a round of 16 loss to Casper Rudd, but Monfils starts as a slight favorite in this one and should prevail if he can maintain his level from last week.
Prediction: Monfils in 2
Lorenzo Sonego vs Carlos Alcaraz
Head-to-head: first meeting
This is a very intriguing matchup between two players who have recently had their big breakthroughs (despite Sonego being already 26). Alcaraz actually won his first career title a few weeks ago in Umag and will be coming into North America full of confidence. That said, hard courts are generally a better surface for Sonego, which might give him a slight edge in this matchup.
Prediction: Sonego in 3
Benoit Paire vs Denis Shapovalov
Head-to-head: Paire 2-1 Shapovalov
Shapovalov had a fantastic run at Wimbledon. However, he has since played two matches and lost both as a clear favorite–to an opponent ouside the top 10 in Gstaad and to Frances Tiafoe last week in his home Masters 1000 in Canada. Paire hasn’t exactly been in great form either, but he’s at least been winning some matches. Odds are that Shapovalov will find his stride again sooner rather than later, so he’s rightfully a clear favorite here.
Prediction: Shapovalov in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
