On Thursday at the ATP Cincinnati Masters, Casper Ruud and Felix Auger-Aliassime will play for the third time this season. It would be fair to say that the Canadian played two of his best matches this year against this opponent and they were instrumental in his two deep runs – Madrid final and Olympic fourth place. Who do you think will prevail this time around?
ATP Cincinnati Day 4 Predictions
Alexander Zverev vs Karen Khachanov
Head-to-head: Zverev 4-2
Karen Khachanov has looked a bit lost on the court recently, but he’s doing a bit better after hitting a low in Washington with his performance against Seong-chan Hong. Against Alexander Zverev, he’s really going to have to produce. The German leads the ATP Tour in matches won this year and is extremely consistent in his ability to make the opponent have to blast his way through him. Khachanov will need to be hitting very freely and he doesn’t seem to have it at the moment.
Prediction: Zverev in 2
Max Purcell vs Pablo Carreno Busta
Head-to-head: First meeting
Max Purcell made the quarterfinals in Cincinnati last year and getting that wildcard for this edition can be huge for him. Especially now that he’s defeated Tomas Machac in the opening round. But Pablo Carreno Busta is getting back to where he was as well, posting a win over Fabian Marozsan last week and now handling the in-form Sebastian Korda. Perhaps the veteran Spaniard can also enjoy this matchup. Quirky playstyles like Purcell’s tend to be less effective against players who have the experience to handle them.
Prediction: Carreno Busta in 3
Fabian Marozsan vs Grigor Dimitrov
Head-to-head: Dimitrov 1-0
The loss to Alexei Popyrin was looking like a rare mishap for Grigor Dimitrov, but the outlook on it is much better in hindsight. Fabian Marozsan can be a threat to anyone on his day and a quicker court like this takes some of his strengths away (the amazing dropshot) while granting him new avenues to win. Dimitrov handled the Hungarian so well at the French Open, though, not giving him a shot at all. The former champion should probably end up getting through again.
Prediction: Dimitrov in 3
Casper Ruud vs Felix Auger-Aliassime
Head-to-head: 4-4
Felix Auger-Aliassime played probably the two best matches of his season against Casper Ruud with the fourth round in Madrid and the Olympic quarterfinal. It’s pretty surprising as the Norwegian isn’t an opponent he particularly enjoyed facing even during his best 2022 campaign. But now that we’re here, maybe he can keep that up? Ruud was a bit sick last week and has been pushed to defense too easily in a few matchups of late. Auger-Aliassime could capitalize on that with his recent confidence.
Prediction: Auger-Aliassime in 3
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-USA Today Sports
