Day 5 at the ATP Cincinnati Open features the entire third round of the men’s singles event. Two matches remain to be set with Jack Draper (vs Casper Ruud or Felix Auger-Aliassime) and Holger Rune (vs Carlos Alcaraz or Gael Monfils) still awaiting their opponents and we’ll update these predictions in due time. For now, high seeds Alexander Zverev and Hubert Hurkacz are facing some very tough opposition. Who do you think will advance to the quarterfinals?
ATP Cincinnati Day 5 Predictions
Alexander Zverev vs Pablo Carreno Busta
Head-to-head: Zverev 3-0
Pablo Carreno Busta is back and he’s bringing the best level we’ve seen since his injuries. There’s still a bit of a gap between that and taking out someone like Alexander Zverev though. The Spaniard was once capable of that for sure, even going two sets to love up against him at the US Open. But Zverev’s combination of big serve and baseline consistency is brutal and requires perfect efficiency if you want to beat him. It might be a bit too much for Carreno Busta at this stage, even after a couple of nice matches under his belt. Zverev is so rarely vulnerable to upsets.
Prediction: Zverev in 2
Holger Rune vs Gael Monfils
Head-to-head: First meeting
The surface in Cincinnati registering at over 40 in the Court Pace Index certainly wasn’t to Carlos Alcaraz’s liking. The Spaniard ended up losing to Gael Monfils, who’s consistently producing stronger results on faster courts this year. It wasn’t the most physical match for Monfils and he might have a shot at Holger Rune despite having to go again today. The Dane has to get a slight edge in his first encounter with the veteran, but he’ll need to keep the forehand errors in check.
Prediction: Rune in 3
Jack Draper vs Felix Auger-Aliassime
Head-to-head: Draper 1-0
Felix Auger-Aliassime will have to play two matches today, but that shouldn’t be an issue after only spending about an hour on court against Casper Ruud. Jack Draper beat him surprisingly comfortably at the US Open two years ago and keeps looking like he’s on the verge of a breakthrough. Will this be another example this year of Auger-Aliassime peaking against Ruud but then not keeping it up against other players? History might just repeat itself here.
Prediction: Draper in 3
Hubert Hurkacz vs Flavio Cobolli
Head-to-head: Hurkacz 1-0
Hubert Hurkacz is back very soon after his knee injury and is already playing three-setters for fun again. This comeback doesn’t feel rushed and the Pole is not limited at all movement-wise. It won’t be easy for him though as he’s facing Flavio Cobolli, who’s earned three Top 20 wins in the last three weeks and made a phenomenal jump on hard courts this year. The free points galore his serve sets up for him is a massive advantage in this matchup, but Cobolli is a beast right now and won’t go down without a fight. Expect another Hurkacz trademark thriller.
Prediction: Hurkacz in 3
Main Photo Credit: Jonathan Hui-USA TODAY Sports
