All 12 remaining men’s singles second-round matches have been scheduled for Day 4 at the ATP Cincinnati Open. It’s a stacked line-up with last year’s semifinalist Hubert Hurkacz beginning his campaign, while Stefanos Tsitsipas survived a tricky opener with Jan-Lennard Struff and things aren’t getting any easier. Who do you think will advance to the next stage of the event?
ATP Cincinnati Day 4 Predictions
Hubert Hurkacz vs Yoshihito Nishioka
Head-to-head: Nishioka 1-0
Hubert Hurkacz is back so quickly after the knee injury, but at least in Montreal it didn’t feel rushed. He had to play plenty of matches in quick succession and looked solid physically while at it, only losing a tight battle with the eventual champion. The Pole should be a threat going forward, but his style still tends to produce plenty of lottery matches. You can see how Yoshihito Nishioka could be a bit unpleasant for him to play against with the lefty spin as well. But the free points coming off the serve should eventually be enough.
Prediction: Hurkacz in 3
Ben Shelton vs Tomas Martin Etcheverry
Head-to-head: Shelton 1-0
Ben Shelton has some good memories from Cincinnati two years ago and going forward this should be one of his best events. The American’s style is still quite low-margin though and he doesn’t seem to be finding too many easy wins. Tomas Martin Etcheverry is an opponent you’d expect him to cruise against on hard courts, but the tall Argentine might be able to keep up with Shelton’s serving rhythm if the No. 12 seed can’t play a bit more patiently than usual. The favorite will probably find a way, one way or another.
Prediction: Shelton in 3
Holger Rune vs Nuno Borges
Head-to-head: Rune 1-0
Nuno Borges is playing with a lot of confidence right now, especially after picking up his maiden ATP Tour title in Bastad. His game doesn’t always hold up on the main tour, but at the moment he’s really bringing it. You never know which Holger Rune turns up as well. The Dane is so versatile though and delivered a stunning performance to defeat Matteo Berrettini on Wednesday. He’s opened up the draw for himself and this is an opportunity he should capitalize on.
Prediction: Rune in 2
Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Jack Draper
Head-to-head: Draper 1-0
Jack Draper barely survived Jaume Munar in the opening round, being close to suffering a first-round exit in both ATP 1000 events of the North American hard court swing. By the end of it, he looked completely gassed as well. Stefanos Tsitsipas should generally be a good matchup for him on faster courts, he’s got all the tools to apply pressure at the one-hander. Draper has been very unconvincing though and this could be a chance for the Greek to grab some hard-court confidence back.
Prediction: Tsitsipas in 3
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
