Wednesday at the Cincinnati Masters should provide no shortage of entertainment with ten intriguing ATP matches on the slate including Jan-Lennard Struff’s clash with Stefanos Tsitsipas, whilst Alexander Zverev is set to take on Serbian young gun Miomir Kecmanovic and Stan Wawrinka will face Hamburg finalist Andrey Rublev. But who will book their place in the third round?
Cincinnati Wednesday Predictions
Daniil Medvedev vs Benoit Paire
Head-to-head: Medvedev 1-0 Paire
Russia’s Daniil Medvedev recovered swiftly from the bruising loss he suffered at the hands of Rafael Nadal in Sunday’s Montreal final to dispatch Kyle Edmund in straight-sets. It was his second win over the Briton in as many weeks as he continued his excellent start to the North American summer. Paire, meanwhile, advanced courtesy of Fernando Verdasco’s retirement with the Spaniard trailing 4-6. Both men have enjoyed great seasons and this looks set to be an engaging contest as a result. But Medvedev has shown all year that he can grind down all but the very best. Expect him to do so again.
Prediction: Medvedev in 3
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Frances Tiafoe vs Roberto Bautista Agut
Head-to-head: first meeting
Roberto Bautista Agut is another man enjoying an excellent year, highlighted by a semifinal showing at Wimbledon and a run to the last eight at Melbourne Park, as well as the Qatar Open title. The Spaniard is an excellent mover and gives little away, but he can go on the offensive when he needs to with his flat driven forehand a particularly useful weapon. It was that shot more than any other that Hubert Hurkacz, who lost to the Spaniard in straight-sets in the first round, struggled to deal with. Frances Tiafoe can also do damage with his forehand, but it is not nearly as reliable as Bautista Agut’s and consistency looks set to prevail in this one.
Prediction: Bautista Agut in 2
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Alexander Zverev vs Miomir Kecmanovic
Head-to-head: first meeting
World #6 Zverev still has all the fundamentals required to challenge for the biggest titles in the sport, but his confidence has been shot to pieces this year. As a result, he has looked reluctant to step in and dictate, trying to outlast opponents from deep behind the baseline instead, with mixed results. Up against Kecmanovic, who impressed in upsetting Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-3 6-3 in the first round, he will have the perfect opportunity to return to a more aggressive game plan. The Serbian moves well and misses rarely, but has little power. So if Zverev has the courage to impose himself, he should have enough to advance.
Prediction: Zverev in 3
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Adrian Mannarino vs Mikhail Kukushkin
Head-to-head: Mannarino 5-0 Kukushkin
Neither Adrian Mannarino nor Mikhail Kukushkin are particularly orthodox players. Both strike a fairly flat ball that leaves them with less margin for error than most but that is very effective on a fast court, though it is Kukushkin is the bigger hitter by some. But the Frenchman will still surely approach this contest full of confidence having won all five of his previous matches against Kukushkin, including last week in Montreal. And he has typically played well in Cincinnati in the past, last year giving eventual champion Novak Djokovic real problems before succumbing in three. After looking sharp in his opener against Cristian Garin, Mannarino looks set for another good week in Cincinnati.
Prediction: Mannarino in 2
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Stan Wawrinka vs Andrey Rublev
After playing probably the match of the tournament against Grigor Dimitrov in the first round, Stan Wawrinka looks set for another stern test up against the big-hitting Andrey Rublev. It has been a slightly inconsistent season for the Russian, but nonetheless a marked improvement on his 2018 and he scored a fine win in the first round over Nikoloz Basilashvili after coming through the qualifying. Winners and unforced errors seem certain to be the order of the day in this one, which could well be a close contest. But Rublev has three wins under his belt already and it is hard to back against him picking up a fourth.
Prediction: Rublev in 3
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