On a packed day three at the Cincinnati Masters, which is being held in Flushing Meadows rather than Ohio due to travel restrictions imposed by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, there should be no shortage of exciting tennis, with a number of star names in action. We here at LWOT are offering our predictions for all 14 matches, including Daniil Medvedev vs Marcos Giron, Dominic Thiem vs Filip Krajinovic and Andy Murray vs Alexander Zverev. But who will reach the last 16?
Cincinnati Masters Day Three Predictions
Milos Raonic vs Dan Evans
Head-to-head: first meeting
Since returning from a ban for recreational drug use in 2018, Dan Evans has established himself as one of the more consistent players on the ATP Tour, breaking into the top 30 and reaching the final at the Delray Beach Open. His success is built for the most part on unusual variety, as well as a fierce competitiveness, and those qualities were on full display in his battling 7-5 3-6 6-2 win over world #14 Andrey Rublev, the second time he has beaten the Russian this season.
But whilst he was able to enjoy success in disrupting Rublev’s rhythm, he will face an altogether different challenge up against Milos Raonic. The Canadian has never been a player who needs to feel his way into a match. Instead, at least when he is at his best, he simply puts the hammer down and hits his way through his opponents. Of course, he is no longer the player who reached the final at Wimbledon in 2016, but he is still a formidable opponent.
He showed as much in dismantling Sam Querrey in straight sets in the first round and, after struggling with a series of injuries for the last three years, will surely have benefitted from the lengthy break in the season. Crucial to his chances in this match will be his serve and forehand, both of which looked to be in good shape in his win over Querrey. If he can replicate that level against Evans, the Briton may well find himself overpowered.
Prediction: Raonic in 3
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Denis Shapovalov vs Jan-Lennard Struff
Head-to-head: Struff 3-1 Shapovalov
Both Denis Shapovalov and Jan-Lennard Struff impressed in the first round at the Cincinnati Masters. The Canadian dismissed the challenge of former-champion Marin Cilic, beating the Croatian 6-3 6-3 to add to his growing woes. Struff, meanwhile, raced past Australia’s Alex de Minaur with surprising ease, beating the world #26 for the loss of only six games. He has also enjoyed the better of his rivalry with Shapovalov, beating the Canadian three times in 2019 without reply.
However, Shapovalov has improved in the months since, with his work with Mikhail Youzhny adding much-needed discipline to his shot selection, particularly on return. That was on full display in his win over Cilic as he broke the 2014 US Open champion’s serve three times. Struff will likely be a harder nut to crack, with the German in excellent form. But Shapovalov looks like he means business this week. Expect him to edge out Struff to reach the third round.
Prediction: Shapovalov in 3
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Novak Djokovic vs Ricardas Berankis
Head-to-head: Djokovic 1-0 Berankis
Novak Djokovic will surely be one player who is particularly glad to be back on court, after a lockdown featuring some serious missteps. But he will rightly start the Cincinnati Masters as the favourite having compiled an 18-0 record so far in 2020, highlighted by his eighth triumph at the Australian Open. He will certainly feel confident about his chances up against Ricardas Berankis, having beaten the Lithuanian 6-1 6-2 6-2 in the first round at the US Open in 2013.
Berankis, once the top-ranked junior in the world, has to his great credit improved significantly in the years since, establishing himself in the ATP’s top 100. And he impressed in his first-round win over the talented Tommy Paul, beating the American 6-7 6-4 7-5. However, it is hard to see him repeating the feat against Djokovic. Berankis is a solid player with few weaknesses, but his serve can be attacked and he struggles to hit through players. The same cannot be said of Djokovic.
Prediction: Djokovic in 2
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