It should be another exciting day of ATP Cincinnati action. Reilly Opelka’s massive serve and comfort playing in front of home crowds mean he could be a dark horse for a deep run in Cincinnati. He starts his campaign against Hugo Dellien. We here at LWOT predict all the matches in on the day, split between this and three other articles.
ATP Cincinnati Day 2 Predictions
Marcos Giron vs Alexander Blockx
Head-to-head: First meeting
Giron, who usually plays his best tennis on home hard courts, has made a poor start to this year’s post-Wimbledon North American swing. He lost to Jaume Munar and Adrian Mannarino in the Citi DC Open and National Bank Open opening rounds. Giron cannot afford to take Blockx, who beat Luca Nardi in qualifying, lightly. The 32-year-old’s more accomplished game on hard courts still makes him the favorite, but he could be in trouble if he does not play better than recently.
Prediction: Giron in 3
Francisco Comesana vs Jaume Munar
Head-to-head: First meeting
Although Comesana reached the third round of last year’s US Open, Munar’s best hard-court tennis is superior to the Argentine’s. The Spaniard possesses a more complete style that translates better to surfaces outside of clay. Comesana will undoubtedly have his moments in a match that promises to have many lengthy rallies, but Munar is backed to win.
Prediction: Munar in 2
Aleksandar Kovacevic vs Hamad Medjedovic
Head-to-head: Medjedovic 2-0 Kovacevic
This will be Medjedovic’s first match since Wimbledon. Kovacevic lost to Tristan Boyer in the opening round in Toronto, but showed his capabilities in a tight three-set battle against Tiafoe in Washington, D.C. Despite Medjedovic winning their previous two meetings, a lack of match practice might prove decisive against Kovacevic in Cincinnati.
Prediction: Kovacevic in 3
Reilly Opelka vs Hugo Dellien
Opelka played well at the Citi DC Open and the National Bank Open, registering wins against Daniil Medvedev and Tomas Machac. This should be an ideal opening match for him in Ohio. Dellien is a clay-court specialist who got thrashed in Toronto against Fabian Marozsan in his last match. Opelka should be able to hold serve and get enough chances on return to win.
Prediction: Opelka in 2
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images
