The ATP Tour heads south for Cincinnati, Ohio’s Western & Southern Open. This Masters 1000 event welcomes a 56-man draw and some of the best players in the world to its grounds, including every player ranked inside the top 20. Day 3 in Cincinnati features a loaded slate of matches that kicks off with Taylor Fritz taking on Jiri Lehecka on Center Court. We at LWOT have the preview and prediction for that match and all other happenings around the grounds of Cincinnati. But who will advance?
ATP Cincinnati Day 3 Predictions
Cameron Norrie vs Gael Monfils
Head-to-Head: Norrie 0-2 Monfils
Cameron Norrie and Gael Monfils square off in a blockbuster Round 1 matchup at the Western & Southern Open. Monfils holds the 2-0 head-to-head advantage over Norrie, but this will be their first meeting in nearly four years. Since that 2019 meeting, Norrie has risen the rankings and proven to be a legitimate top-15 player. Conversely, Monfils has dropped out of the top 200 due to a lack of matches played. That said, he is 5-2 in August and has found success on the North American hard courts. This match sets up to be a back-and-forth baseline battle, but I favor the current form of Monfils. Norrie has yet to win a match since Wimbledon.
Prediction: Monfils in 3
Lloyd Harris vs Max Purcell
Head-to-Head: Harris 1-0 Purcell
Lloyd Harris and Max Purcell square off in the first round in Cincinnati with a massive opportunity to reach the second round of a Masters 1000 event. These two have had very different 2023 seasons. After recovering from injury, Harris has played only 33 matches (winning just five at the tour level). On the other hand, Purcell has dominated the Challenger level, reaching six finals this year. Harris has the power to pierce through Purcell, but I do not think he possesses the consistency to sustain rallies with the Aussie.
Prediction: Purcell in 2
Hubert Hurkacz vs Thanasi Kokkinakis
Head-to-Head: Hurkacz 1-1 Kokkinakis
Hubert Hurkacz and Thanasi Kokkinakis square off in what should be an ace-fest in Cincinnati. Hurkacz and Kokkinakis are two of the best servers on tour and have used that weapon to their advantage in 2023. Kokkinakis played two three-set matches in qualifying, which allowed him to find some comfortability on the fast Cincinnati courts. This match will be filled with short, powerful exchanges, but in the end, I favor Hurkacz.
Prediction: Hurkacz in 3
Taylor Fritz vs Jiri Lehecka
Head-to-Head: Fritz 2-0 Lehecka
Taylor Fritz and Jiri Lehecka kick off the day with a top-35 battle on center court. Fritz has beaten Lehecka two times this year, including a straight-set hardcourt victory in January. Since then, Lehecka has come into his own, posting a 26-18 tour-level record this season. He has shown terrific rally tolerance on hardcourts and can blast winners off both wings. He has the firepower to make Fritz uncomfortable and the mobility to keep points alive. I think this match will go the distance, but ultimately I see the serve from the American being the difference.
Prediction: Fritz in 3
Main Photo Credit: Yannick Peterhans – USA TODAY Sports
