Daniil Medvedev just lost to Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in Montreal and he’ll be desperate to return to winning at the ATP Masters in Cincinnati. In his opener, he takes on Jiri Lehecka who spent over three months sidelined due to injury. The Czech already defeated Mariano Navone, but will it be enough for Medvedev? Who do you think will advance to the next stage of the event?
ATP Cincinnati Day 3 Predictions
Tomas Martin Etcheverry vs Matteo Arnaldi
Head-to-head: Etcheverry 1-0
Was Montreal the breakthrough everyone was waiting for with Matteo Arnaldi? The Italian had some disastrous performances over the summer but that was mostly in matchups where he had to create play. It’s unclear what the dynamics will be like when he takes on Tomas Martin Etcheverry. It should be a physical contest for sure and Arnaldi gets the hard court nod. Especially due to his court coverage and ability to flatten out the strokes a lot better than Etcheverry.
Prediction: Arnaldi in 2
Frances Tiafoe vs Lorenzo Musetti
Head-to-head: 3-3
Lorenzo Musetti has made it to the semifinals in his last five events, but that was all on clay and grass. Hard courts are tougher for him with how much variety he wants to implement and his strokes getting rushed. He still survived a tough opening round against Nicolas Jarry and will now face Frances Tiafoe for the seventh time (third on this surface). Musetti won on a much slower court in Acapulco and maybe this is where his streak will end. The American needs a confidence-building win right now.
Prediction: Tiafoe in 3
Daniil Medvedev vs Jiri Lehecka
Head-to-head: 1-1
Jiri Lehecka’s back injury couldn’t have come at a worse time–he was in the Madrid semifinals (having defeated Daniil Medvedev along the way) and not only was he forced to retire there, he also missed the entire stacked tennis summer of 2024 (French Open, Wimbledon, Olympics). But the Czech is back now and this should be a more realistic test for him than Mariano Navone in the opening round. Medvedev is vulnerable to his style, especially on these courts, and if Lehecka his rhythm quickly then it becomes very open.
Prediction: Lehecka in 3
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports
