Second-round actions begin at the Cincinnati Open alongside the remaining first-round matches. The day is jam-packed with 14 ATP matches to be played. Stefanos Tsitsipas will face Jan-Lennard Struff for the third time this year. As always, we here at LWOT will offer our predictions for every match on the slate for day 3. But who will advance to the next round?
ATP Cincinnati Day 3 Predictions
Nuno Borges vs Adrian Mannarino
Head-to-Head: First meeting
Nuno Borges has been playing some great tennis recently and earned a new career-high ranking of 39. He is taking the ball early and playing the points on his merit. Another good week here will see the Portuguese player push for the top 30. He has a good first-round match as Adrian Mannarino is going through a slump of epic proportions. Mannarino has lost eight matches in a row and, doesn’t look anywhere near his 2023 level. Borges should be able to reach the second round.
Prediction: Borges in 3
Corentin Moutet vs Fabian Marozsan
Head-to-Head: Moutet 0-1 Marozsan
Corentin Moutet played two brilliant matches in qualifying to secure his third Cincinnati Open main draw appearance. Moutet has never won a match here and will look to change that. Fabian Mrozsan has lost his last three matches and is making his Cincinnati debut. Marozsan will enjoy the fast conditions here, as he demonstrated by reaching the quarterfinals in Shanghai last year. Both these players play with a lot of variety and there will be some drop shots. Marozsan has the better first serve which is huge in these conditions.
Prediction: Marozsan in 3
Sebastian Korda vs Pablo Carreno Busta
Head-to-Head: Korda 0-2 Carreno Busta
Sebastian Korda would be disappointed to lose to Alexei Popyrin in Montreal but he must be proud of the way he has played in this North American hardcourt swing. Beating Fritz and Zverev back to back must have felt great to the American player. Korda has no points to defend this week, so he can push for the top ten with a deep run. Pablo Carreno Busta has won both of their matches, but he is not the same player he was in 2022. He is still finding his stride, and Korda is simply too formidable an opponent right now.
Prediction: Korda in 3
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Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Jan-Lennard Struff
Head-to-Head: Tsitsipas 4-4 Struff
Tsitsipas is going through a low point in his career where he doesn’t seem to find any joy outside of clay. His backhand has become a target for every opponent he encounters, and on Cincinnati’s fast courts, it will be pressured. However, he has fired his father from the coaching role and maybe that helps him play with more freedom. Jan-Lennard Struff has troubled Tsitsipas throughout his career and won the last match quite easily. His massive serve to Tsitsipas’ backhand will be a routine play, and he will be certain to earn several cheap points. Tsitsipas might come out with a new confidence but I will believe it when I see it.
Prediction: Struff in 3
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Main Photo Credit: Danielle Parhizkaran-USA TODAY Sports
