The Tour is getting ever so slightly close to the last major of the year and ATP Masters 1000 in Cincinnati, Ohio will welcome a strong field for the Western & Southern Open this week. We here at LWOT have a line up of previews and predictions for every match. Who do you think will win?
ATP Cincinnati Day 2 Predictions
Francisco Cerundolo vs Dusan Lajovic
Head-to-Head: First meeting
Francisco Cerundolo, whose preferred surface is the dirt, would look to build on the progress he has made on hard courts earlier this season when he made runs to the third round at the Australian Open and and the quarterfinals at Miami Masters. He was unable to build on that in Toronto losing against Tommy Paul in the second round in three sets. Dusan Lajovic has had two solid wins here in qualifying matches and would fancy his chances against his younger fellow clay courter. Expect this match to go the distance with Cerundolo maintaining the slight edge.
Prediction: Cerundolo in 3
Emil Ruusuvuori vs Corentin Moutet
Head-to-Head: First meeting
These players are familiar with each other’s game as they squared off often as they progressed through the juniors circuit with Moutet leading the head-to-head with two wins. They haven’t played against each other since then and Ruusuvuori will finally look to get one past his fellow 1999 born rival. His recent record hasn’t been entirely convincing with a first round loss to Marcos Giron in Toronto his latest. Moutet hasn’t fared any better but two solid wins here in the qualifying rounds might be all the encouragement he needs to take the match to Ruusuvuori and nick the win.
Prediction: Moutet in 3
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Lorenzo Sonego vs Alexander Shevchenko
Head-to-Head: First meeting
Lorenzo Sonego’s season hasn’t gone to plan, with ten first round losses under his belt so far in the first eight months of the year. He has had flashes of brilliance, however, with Tound 16 appearances at the Miami Masters and the French Open, where he took out Andrey Rublev. Alexander Shevchenko will look to build on the momentum he had when he made a run to the third round in Washington, D.C. a couple of weeks ago with solid wins over Maxim Cressy and Korda Sebastian. That has been the highlight of a player who has looked fearless with every big opportunity. Lorenzo Sonego will mark yet another statement win for the young Russian here.
Prediction: Shevchenko in 2
Sebastian Korda vs Borna Coric
Head-to-Head: First meeting
Borna Coric lost in straight sets to Alexander Vukic in the first round at the National Bank Open in Toronto last week. He would look to brush off that loss as he seeks his first title defense since 2019 against Sebastian Korda here in Round 1. The American on his part will try to use the much needed crowd support to fire himself to a win against the defending champion. Coric’s run to the title last year after a lengthy injury break is a testament to how dangerous he can be when motivated. Whether we can see a glimpse of that player is left to be seen however. The added weight of being the defending champion should carry Coric across the finish line but only just slightly.
Prediction: Coric in 3
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
