Day 4 of the ATP Masters 1000 in Cincinnati features a loaded slate of matches, including Holger Rune vs Makenzie McDonald on offer. We cover that here as well as a strong lineup of other intriguing matches for you. We also predict the rest of the day’s matches, split between two articles–featuring Novak Djokovic vs Alejandro Davidovich Fokina and Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Ben Shelton. But who will get the wins?
ATP Cincinnati Day 4 Predictions
Ugo Humbert vs Tommy Paul
Head-to-Head: Humbert 0-1 Paul
Tommy Paul is coming off a solid week in Toronto, beating the world no. 1 Carlos Alcaraz in three sets in the quarterfinals and losing to the eventual champion Jannik Sinner in the semifinals. The American has been one of the most consistent performancers on tour this year although he is yet to convert any of his deep runs to titles this season. He got back where he left off last week with a first round dismissal of Miomir Kecmanovic. Ugo Humbert got the better of fellow Frenchman Author Fils in three sets in Round 1. Fils, who is no doubt talented is no where near the level of the challenge Paul Tommy will pose for Humbert.
Prediction: Paul in 2
Gael Monfils vs Alex de Minaur
Head-to-Head: Monfils 1-0 de Minaur
Gael Monfils stunned Cameron Norrie in first round to claim his second top 20 scalp after defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas last week in Toronto. The win against Norrie came after an injury scare mid way through the first set. Monfils should be delighted with his progress so far, how much further he would be able to go here remains to be seen as he takes on the in-form Alex de Minaur. The Australian brushed aside his Toronto final loss to Jannik Sinner with a Round 1 win over J.J Wolf. Monfils won their sole encounter two years ago at this venue and would hope to repeat the same here. Alex de Minaur would make a harder nut to crack this time around and with the injury scare from his match against Norrie, Monfils might not get a foothold in this match early enough to cause significant damage.
Prediction: de Minaur in 2
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Francis Tiafoe vs Stan Wawrinka
Head-to-Head: Tiafoe 0-3 Wawrinka
The head to head in this match up is evidence of how much trouble Wawrinka’s power can cause for Francis Tiafoe. All their previous matches have gone the distance with the latest among them coming last in London where they played out an epic three sets match featuring three tiebreaks. I expect to see a similar battle here with one or two tiebreaks but whether Francis Tiafoe is finally ready to overcome the hurdle that is Stan Wawrinka is yet to be seen with his recent form. I would back the swiss veteran to get the win here again.
Prediction: Wawrinka in 3
Holger Rune vs Makenzie McDonald
Head-to-Head: Rune 1-0 McDonald
Holger Rune is experiencing a slumpy start to his North American hard court campaign after a successful first half of the season with a first round loss against Marcos Giron in Toronto last week. He should hope to get back to winning ways against another American Makenzie McDonald. He won in straight sets when the pair met at Indian Wells earlier this year but given the form both players are on right now, this match would not be as routine. I still expect the Dane to come away with the win but only slightly.
Prediction: Rune in 3
Main Photo Credit: Andy Abeyta/The Desert Sun / USA TODAY NETWORK
