Preparations for the US Open continue this week at the ATP Cincinnati Masters. There are four first-round matches on the slate on day one and, as always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for all of them. But who will secure their spot in the second round?
ATP Cincinnati Day 1 Predictions
Christopher Eubanks vs Ben Shelton
Head-to-head: Eubanks 1-0 Shelton
It is a battle between two Americans and two huge servers. Both men should be helped by the conditions. Christopher Eubanks has not reached the level he did in Mallorca and Wimbledon at his last three tournaments, although that was likely to always be an unrealistic expectation for someone whose rise was so sudden. Eubanks has not played really badly since switching to the hard courts, just slightly below his very best. Shelton played well for long spells against Carlos Alcaraz in Toronto.
A deep run feels like it is going to come soon for the 20-year-old, with his powerful game and huge potential. Shelton gets a very narrow edge here. Reaching the third round at this event last year announced him to the tennis world. Those good memories and being a little quicker around the hard courts may just get him over the line.
Prediction: Shelton in 3
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Gregoire Barrere vs Yoshihito Nishioka
Head-to-head: first meeting
This is a tough one to call between two players of a similar ranking. Yoshihito Nishioka has been struggling lately. The Japanese player has not won a match since the French Open. His three successive first round losses on hard courts have been somewhat surprising, as it is the surface he has been the most comfortable on by far throughout his career.
Eastbourne semifinalist Gregoie Barrere has started his North American hard court season with one win and two losses, although they were in Washington to eventual champion Dan Evans and then to Matteo Berrettini. Barrere has slightly better form on his side, but Nishioka’s consistent style of tennis is one that the Frenchman could struggle with. Overall Barrere to win to reach the second round of the ATP Cincinnati Masters, but in truth this one is a coin toss.
Prediction: Barrere in 3
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Richard Gasquet vs Adrian Mannarino
Head-to-head: Gasquet 2-0 Mannarino
Adrian Mannarino must wish he could return to grass. The 34-year-0ld had a superb grass court season, culminating in his title win in Newport. But he has lost his first two matches since switching back to hard courts. This is Richard Gasquet’s first tournament in North America after he elected to skip the Toronto Masters.
The 37-year-old has mostly struggled for wins since his title run in Auckland in January. However he did play well at this time of the season last year, reaching the Winston Salem quarterfinals and the third round of the US Open. Both men have reasons to be confident of victory. Mannarino will feel his consistent style can grind Gasquet down. But the heavy topspin Gasquet plays with is Mannarino’s biggest weakness, as evidenced by his poor career results on clay. It feels like the elder Frenchman Gasquet needs some wins to believe he can keep competing at this level, and he might just get it in two competitive sets.
Prediction: Gasquet in 2
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Francis Tiafoe vs Tallon Griekspoor
Head-to-head: first meeting
The extremely talented Frances Tiafoe has been inconsistent since his run to the title on the grass courts of Stuttgart. His last three losses against Grigor Dimitrov, Dan Evans and Milos Raonic were all surprisingly poor performances from last year’s US Open semifinalist. Tallon Griekspoor’s first round loss in Toronto was understandable after his run to the final in Washington. The Dutchman still made it a competitive two sets against Alexander Zverev.
It is a dangerous match for Tiafoe. Griekspoor has won two titles this year in additon to being runner-up in Washington. He will be rested and ready to fully fight again at the ATP Cincinnati Masters. Ultimately though in the relatively quick conditions in Ohio Tiafoe should have enough firepower and skill to get another win. It will be an entertaining watch regardless.
Prediction: Tiafoe in 3
Main photo credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
