The Cincinnati Open moves into it’s fifth day of action on Thursday with several of the top seeds still in both the men’s and women’s draws. This makes for some great tennis in the coming days, and the likes of Daniil Medvedev and Iga Swiatek will be keen to lift another major trophy when all is said and done. However, several top opponents will have something to say about that. In this set of ATP Cincinnati Open day 5 we cover the likes of Stefanos Tsitsipas and John Isner. Be sure to look out for our other prediction articles covering the rest of the men’s and women’s matches taking place on Thursday.
ATP Cincinnati Open Day 5 Predictions
Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Diego Schwartzman
Head-to-head: 2 – 2
Stefanos Tsitsipas hasn’t played much at all since Wimbledon and is short of matches coming into this one. He faces a tough test in Diego Schwartzman and may well be on the receiving end of an upset here. The Greek is an elite player on clay courts. However, he hasn’t shown that same level on other surfaces on a consistent basis. That inconsistency means he is beaten more often than he should be by players less talented than he is. I can see another such upset happening here. Schwartzman can live with the Greek off the ground and Tsitsipas’ struggles on return means he likely won’t capitalise on the Argentinian’s biggest weakness, his serve.
Prediction: Schwartzman in 3
John Isner vs Sebastian Korda
Head-to-head: 2 – 0 Korda
Sebastian Korda is probably the better all-round tennis player here. However, the impact of Isner’s serve on hard courts and his record in America cannot be discounted. The giant American has won the overwhelming majority of his ATP titles in his home country and is always a threat on this surface. expect at least one tiebreaker here, with Korda hoping an unforced error at an opportune time hands him the break he needs to capitalise. Korda should find a way but he won’t get many chances.
Prediction: Korda in 3
Roberto Bautista Agut vs Borna Coric
Head-to-head: 4 – 3 Bautista Agut
Borna Coric reminded the tennis world that he was once touted as the next big thing in mens tennis. The Croatian is part of the same generation as Daniil Medvedev, Denis Shapovalov and Tsitsipas but injuries have curtailed his progress drastically in recent years. Nevertheless, he is a superb player on his day with a game that lacks any real weaknesses. Roberto Bautista Agut is similar in that regard and this match could well turn into a war of attrition. I expect three sets and a marathon match here, with whoever holds a higher level the longest emerging as the victor.
Prediction: Coric in 3
Daniil Medvedev vs Dennis Shapovalov
Head-to-head: 2 – 2
On paper this looks a close affair. Denis Shapovalov can give anyone trouble on his day and it’s been a while since we’ve seen him at that level. However, Medvedev is a different animal on American hard courts. The Russian has looked in immense form in recent weeks and it took an inspired Nick Kyrgios to stop him last week in Montreal. Shapovalov has given little reason to believe he can reach that level over his last few tournaments. As such, I expect a relatively routine win for Medvedev here as he looks to extend his time at world #1.
Prediction: Medvedev in 2
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