The second Masters-1000 event before the US Open takes place in Cincinnati. Unsurprisingly, there is a very strong ATP entry list for the tournament. Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz and 2021 US Open winner Daniil Medvedev are among the top men’s players set to be in action. However, three ATP players have decided to withdraw from the Cincinnati Open. This article names those who have withdrawn and then lists their four replacements in the draw.
Four ATP Players Withdraw From Cincinnati Open
Which Players Have Withdrawn?
Novak Djokovic was the biggest name to withdraw from the Cincinnati Open. It has been over a week since Djokovic finally won his first Olympic gold medal. Unsurprisingly, the 37-year-old withdrew from the National Bank Open that took place immediately after the Olympics, but some fans were hopeful of seeing him defend his title in Cincinnati. He will now almost certainly play at the US Open without any warmup events.
Alex de Minaur was another player to withdraw from the Cincinnati Open. The Australian sustained a hip injury on match point of his round of 16 Wimbledon contest against Arthur Fils. That problem forced him to miss his quarterfinal at SW19 with Novak Djokovic and the Olympics at Roland-Garros. It has now also ruled him out of the ATP-1000 event in Ohio.
Alexander Bublik also withdrew from the tournament. No official reason has been given for the Kazakhstani’s decision. He lost in the opening round of the National Bank Open in Montreal against Ben Shelton, and there were no visible physical issues in that match.
Cameron Norrie was the final player to withdraw from the Cincinnati Open. The former British No. 1 picked up an injury before his scheduled match at the Olympics against Tallon Griekspoor. That injury kept Norrie out of the National Bank Open, and will also miss the tournament in Cincinnati as well.
Who Replaces Those Four Players in the Draw?
Giovanni Mpteshi Perricard benefits from Djokovic’s decision to withdraw from the Cincinnati Open. The Frenchman’s style makes him a player others in the draw do not want to face. He possesses a massive serve, meaning very fine margins decide his matches. That style took him to the fourth round of Wimbledon.
Fabian Marozsan replaces de Minaur at the Cincinnati Open. The Hungarian’s style is watchable, and he reliably produces stunning winners in his matches. He can be inconsistent but is capable of causing most opponents problems at his best.
Marcos Giron is also set to play at the event due to Bublik’s withdrawal. He made a slow start to his North American hardcourt season in Toronto, losing in straight sets to James Duckworth. Giron usually plays well in home conditions and will hope for a strong response in Ohio.
Finally, Miomir Kecmanovic enters the Cincinnati Open draw to replace Norrie. In his last outing, the Serbian lost a close match to Nuno Borges in Montreal. Kecmanovic is a great competitor and always fights until the last point in all his matches.
Main Photo Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports
