Day Three at the Cincinnati Masters will see the big guns swing into action. World #1 Novak Djokovic and world #3 Roger Federer are both set to make their first appearance on tour since their gripping Wimbledon clash in the Wimbledon final last month. But who will advance in Ohio?
Cincinnati Masters Day Three Predictions
David Goffin vs Taylor Fritz
Head-to-head: first meeting
It is a testament to the season that Taylor Fritz has put together that he finds himself just six places below David Goffin in the ATP rankings. He played some great tennis during the grass-court swing, winning his first title in Eastbourne, and he has continued that fine form in his native North America, reaching back-to-back finals in Atlanta and Los Cabos, though he did lose first round in Montreal to Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz.
Goffin also had a profitable grass-court season, reaching the last eight at Wimbledon, but he has yet to win a match on the North American hard courts. When he is at his best, he can do anything on a tennis court, but he did not show anything like that level in Washington or Montreal. Thus whilst at his best he could be expected to get the better of the Californian Fritz, expect the man in form to be the one booking his place in the second round at the Cincinnati Masters
Prediction: Fritz in 3
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Diego Schwartzman vs Laslo Djere
Head-to-head: first meeting
Diego Schwartzman may be known principally for his clay-court exploits, but his recent run to the title in Los Cabos illustrated, and not for the first time, that he can play good ball on hard courts as well. His serve remains a weakness against the best in the sport, but off the ground there are few better than the Argentine. His groundstrokes are rock solid and he covers the court superbly. Laslo Djere does not lack quality off the ground himself, with his backhand a particularly impressive shot. But Schwartzman should be able to outmanoeuvre him and the Djere forehand can break down when put under sustained pressure.
Prediction: Schwartzman in 3
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Daniil Medvedev vs Kyle Edmund
Head-to-head: Edmund 2-1 Medvedev
Daniil Medvedev had one of the finest weeks of his career in Montreal, storming into the final. Though he came up short there against Rafael Nadal, winning just three games, it was surely still a confidence building week for the 23-year-old. That said, there is little turn around time between Montreal and Cincinnati, meaning Medvedev will have had just one day to recover physically and emotionally from his efforts north of the border. Against a player of Kyle Edmund’s quality, that looks to be a tall order. The Briton may have had a disappointing, injury-plagued season, but he should still be able to capitalise against a fatigued Medvedev.
Prediction: Edmund in 3
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Roger Federer vs Juan Ignacio Londero
Head-to-head: first meeting
Speaking of recovery time, Federer will surely have needed a fair amount of it to deal with his loss to Djokovic at Wimbledon after having held two match points. The last male player to lose a Grand Slam from that position, Guillermo Coria, was never the same again. But the Argentine was seeking his first Major when he lost to Gaston Gaudio at the French Open in 2004, whilst Federer can at least take comfort in the 20 Grand Slam titles he has already won.
And he will be glad to be back in Cincinnati, where he has been crowned champion eight times. The slick courts suit his aggressive style of play and he will surely view himself as having a real chance to claim title number nine this season, though he will have to come through a loaded top half of the draw to do so. His first assignment, the clay-courter Juan Ignacio Londero, shouldn’t pose him too many problems however.
Prediction: Federer in 2
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