After Montreal, the ATP Cincinnati Open is the second big tournament in the North American hard-court swing. With players who skipped Montreal returning to action, the draw is stacked as players aim to fine-tune their game ahead of the US Open. Lots of exciting matches to look forward to on a jam-packed day. As always, we here at LWOT will offer our predictions for every match on the slate for Day 2. But who will advance?
ATP Cincinnati Day 2 Predictions
Alex Michelsen vs Tallon Griekspoor
Head-to-Head: Michelsen 0-1 Griekspoor
Alex Michelsen has recently been one of the most consistent players. He reached the final in Newport and backed it up with a quarterfinal appearance at the Citi Open. His big serve and potency at the net make him a good player for the low-bouncing courts. Michelsen is making his Cincinnati Open debut and did well to come through qualifying. Tallon Griekspoor lost many close matches this year, but he won when these two met in Miami. That win will give him the required confidence to enter this match, and I expect him to win in the end.
Prediction: Griekspoor in 3
Jiri Lehecka vs Mariano Navone
Head-to-Head: First meeting
Jiri Lehecka is coming back from a vertebral stress fracture injury, which sidelined him for three months. He last played in Madrid, where he was looking in great form. I’d be amazed if he can play at his best level right from the word go after such a big injury. But he couldn’t have asked for a better opponent in the first round. Mariano Navone has not won a main draw match on hard courts in his career. He was swept by Taylor Fritz in Montreal and would look to improve on that performance. This is a tough one to call as Lehecka’s level is uncertain, but I trust his return to the tour.
Prediction: Lehecka in 2
Ugo Humbert vs Jordan Thompson
Head-to-Head: First meeting
Ugo Humbert had a great start to the season, winning two titles, but has lost his form since the clay season began. He has lost four of his last six matches. However, he would be glad to be back on hard courts, and despite the loss to Nuno Borges in Montreal, he will cherish playing at the Cincinnati Open. On the other hand, Jordan Thompson has been in great form since the North American summer began. His play style has greatly developed, and his versatility can cause trouble for anybody. Humbert is the higher seed, but Thompson’s form gives me more confidence. Thompson is a good returner, and if he can neutralize Humbert’s serve, he will win.
Prediction: Thompson in 3
Ben Shelton vs Reilly Opelka
Head-to-Head: First meeting
Ben Shelton is still finding his best tennis, which helped him reach the semifinals of the US Open last year. Shelton got out in the second round of the Cincinnati Open last year and would want to have a deeper run this time around. Reilly Opelka has made a strong comeback to the tour, reaching the semifinals in Newport and having a couple of wins after that. He has remained injury-free, which is his biggest win. This match will be dominated by both players’ huge serves and will most likely end in tiebreaks. Shelton has been the more impressive player in tiebreaks recently, which tempts me to back him.
Prediction: Shelton in 3
Main Photo Credit: Danielle Parhizkaran – USA TODAY Sports
