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Eleven Past Champions Headline 2021 @CincyTennis Singles Fields

Posted by Admin on July 21, 2021
Posted in: ATP, Cincinnati, Western & Southern Open, WTA. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , . 1 Comment

Eleven Past Champions Headline 2021 Western & Southern Open Singles Fields

CINCINNATI, Ohio (July 21, 2021) -Ashleigh Barty and Novak Djokovic, the No. 1 ranked players in the world who are fresh off Wimbledon titles, highlight the initial singles entry list for the 2021 Western & Southern Open. 


The Top 20 players in both the ATP Tour and WTA Tour rankings have entered the event, which will be held Aug. 14-22. The field also includes 11 former tournament winners, including the defending champions Djokovic and Victoria Azarenka, both two-time Western & Southern Open winners.

Cincinnati will welcome five former champions in the WTA field, featuring Karolina Pliskova (2016), Garbiñe Muguruza (2017) and Madison Keys (2019) along with two-time champions Serena Williams and Azarenka. In addition to Djokovic, former ATP champions returning to Cincinnati in 2021 include Daniil Medvedev (2019), Rafael Nadal (2013), Grigor Dimitrov (2017), Marin Cilic (2016) and seven-time champion Roger Federer. 


The women’s field is also highlighted by 13 total Major champions, with recent winners including 2020 Western & Southern Open finalist Naomi Osaka (2020 US Open, 2021 Australian Open), Barbora Krejcikova (2021 French Open), Sofia Kenin (2020 Australian Open) and Iga Swiatek (2020 French Open). Eight entrants have held WTA’s No. 1 ranking, with Azarenka, Barty, Osaka, Pliskova, Muguruza and Williams being joined by multi-time Cincinnati finalists Simona Halep and Angelique Kerber. 

In addition to the wealth of experience among the women’s field, 10 participants are 23 or younger. Leading the WTA youth movement is 17-year-old Cori “Coco” Gauff, who will make her debut in Cincinnati following a quarterfinal finish in the 2021 French Open. 


Djokovic’s Western & Southern Open title defense will come as he chases history this season. The winner of the year’s first three Majors, he is bidding to be the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to complete a calendar Grand Slam. The trio of Major titles this season has drawn him level with Federer and Nadal atop the all-time list, with each having won 20 titles at Grand Slam tournaments. A trio of former US Open champions are also on the Cincinnati entry list: Dominic Thiem (2020), Stan Wawrinka (2016) and Cilic (2014). 

Stan Wawrinka, 2019 Western & Southern Open (Photo: Mike Renz)


The men’s field comprises the top 43 players in the ATP rankings and will have 11 players aged 23-or-younger competing. Leading the ATP youth charge is 19-year-old Jannik Sinner, who held a career-high ranking of 17 earlier in 2021 and reached the 2020 French Open Quarterfinals. 

The top eight seeds in both draws will receive first round byes. Eight women and seven men will be added to the fields through a two-round qualifying tournament that will be held Aug. 14-15. Four men and as many as five women will be awarded wild card entries into the main draw singles fields.


Tournament action will take place Aug. 14-22, where first serve will take place at 10 a.m. on Aug. 14 for the qualifying tournament. The men’s and women’s singles finals will take place on Sunday, Aug. 22. The full schedule is available here.

–W & S Open

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2020 @AustralianOpen Week 1 Men’s Preview, Predictions, Long Shot R1 Picks

Posted by Admin on January 19, 2020
Posted in: ATP, Australian Open. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Nicolas Mahut nicomahut • Instagram photos and videos

2020 @AustralianOpen Week 1 Men’s Preview, Predictions, Long Shot R1 Picks
Steve Fogleman, Tennis Atlantic

It’s a new year with the same pressing question: Will a Young Gun will snatch a major from the Big Three? It’s never felt more in their grasp, and yet it still feels like Groundhog Day. Like floodgates after a massive storm, you know that when the day comes when a young’un lifts that fat hardware, it will become a regular occurrence.

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Who is going to be the first? Zverev’s January form lends pessimism to his campaign. Daniil Medvedev tops his quarter with Zverev as the challenger-in-waiting. This is a shame for the youth movement. Assuming Zverev can get to a quarterfinal with the Russian, the winner should be exhausted enough to lose to #1 seed Nadal in the semifinal, unless fatigue has set in with Nadal as well. Nadal’s path is predictably easy into the fourth round. After that, he could draw dangerously unpredictable Nick Kyrgios and with another win, Dominic Thiem. Should he be forced to run this gantlet, Nadal may survive Thiem, but he will be a wounded warrior going after the winner of Zverev and Medvedev.

A wild card in Zverev’s section is Andrey Rublev, who has already picked up two titles in 2020. He’ll do well to advance to a fourth round match against Sascha, but the fatigue should have set in by then, allowing Zverev to advance to a Medvedev quarterfinal.

R4: Nadal d. Kyrgios
R4: Thiem d. Duckworth
QF: Nadal vs. Thiem
QF: Medvedev d. Zverev

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Roger Federer never seems to have an easy draw, but he has to be pleased with this one. Young Canadian Denis Shapovalov in the fourth round would be his biggest test. On the other side of that quarter, I predict Berretini will be upset by Fabio Fognini, setting up a Federer-Fognini quarterfinal.

R4: Fognini d. Berretini
R4: Federer d. Shapovalov
QF: Federer vs. Fognini

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Djokokvic’s quarter is counter-weighted by young gun Stefanos Tsitsipas, but before that quarterfinal match occurs, I’m taking Dusan Lajovic to meet the Serb in the fourth round. Roberto Bautista Agut will likely stand in the way of Tsitsipas in the fourth round as well. This is another quarter that should be upset-free, with the exception of Lloyd Harris taking out #14 seed Diego Schwartzman in the first round.

R4: Djokovic d. Lajovic
R4: Tstsipas d. Bautista Agut
QF: Djokovic vs. Tstsipas

And finally, it’s time for our new segment called “Potentially Worthy Picks”. These are big upset bets with big paydays. Remember that this is for amusement purposes only, and if you place a real bet and it doesn’t win, please don’t flame me on twitter. It’s not like I called you a liar on national television.

Potentially Worthy First Round Upset Picks
Lloyd Harris (+300) d. Diego Schwartzman
Elliot Benchetrit (+200) d. Yuichi Sugita
Yasataka Uchiyama (+300) d. Mikael Ymer

Busy Month on ATP Tour Sees Federer Claim Title #100, Monfils Return to Form

Posted by Admin on March 4, 2019
Posted in: Acapulco, ATP, Australian Open, buenos aires, Cordoba, Delray Beach, Dubai, Marseille, Montpellier, New York, New York Open, Rio, Rotterdam, Sao Paolo, Sofia, Steen Kirby. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Busy Month on ATP Tour Sees Federer Claim Title #100, Monfils Return to Form
Steen Kirby, Tennis Atlantic

After Novak Djokovic claimed the Australian Open title, the ATP season roared into February with multiple 500 level events and a number of 250s on clay and hard courts across the globe. Here is your look at all the action for the month that was.

ATP Montpellier

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Veteran Jo-Wilfried Tsonga won an all French final in this indoor 250 6-4 6-2 against Pierre-Hugues Herbert. The veteran beat Gilles Simon, Jeremy Chardy and Radu Albot in consecutive matches to reach the final, overall he defeated four French players to win the tournament. PHH upset Denis Shapovalov and Tomas Berdych to reach the final.

ATP Sofia

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Bulgaria’s only ATP event was won by the in-form Daniil Medvedev 6-4 6-3 against Marton Fucsovics. Fucsovics had a breakthrough after upsetting Andreas Sepi and getting a walkover against Roberto Bautista Agut in the quarters (then edging Matteo Berrettini in the semis). Medvedev got past Gael Monfils in the semis and prior to that he scored wins against Robin Haase and Martin Klizan in consecutive matches. Medvedev’s win helped him reach the top 15, he’s now 1-1 in ATP finals this year.

ATP Cordoba

On clay in Argentina home hero and wild card Juan Ignacio Londero won his first ever ATP title prevailing against Guido Pella 3-6 7-5 6-1 in a huge moment for him. Londero’s breakthrough pushed him to a new career high in the top 70 and he beat clay courters Nicolas Jarry and Federico Delbonis most notably to make the final. Pella had a good month edging Paolo Lorenzi, Diego Schwartzman, Albert Ramos, and Pablo Cuevas to reach the final in what was a tough path for a 250.

ATP New York

The first ATP 250 in the States this year saw Reilly Opelka lift his first title in three sets 6-1 6-7 7-6 against maiden finalist Brayden Schnur, a Canadian. Opelka also upset top American John Isner, while Schnur edged Sam Querrey in the semis. Opelka’s powerful serve was a difference maker and he should be a factor in Indian Wells and Miami coming up.

ATP Buenos Aires

The 250 on clay in Buenos Aires resulted in Marco Cecchinato’s third career ATP title 6-1 6-2 against home player Diego Schwartzman. Schwartzman upset Dominic Thiem and also beat Aljaz Bedene and Albert Ramos to reach the final. Cecchinato beat Christian Garin, Roberto Carballes Baena, and Guido Pella to reach the final, three accomplished clay courters. This was a great result for Cecchinato outside of Europe.

ATP Rotterdam

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Gael Monfils returned to form winning his 8th career title 6-3 1-6 6-2 against fellow veteran Stan Wawrinka. It was a thrilling moment played in good spirits and filled with joy for both players who have overcome injuries and adversity to return to the top of the game. Monfils 500 level title included wins against Daniil Medvedev, and David Goffin. Wawrinka upset Milos Raonic, Denis Shapovalov, and Kei Nishikori before falling short in the final. Both players would love to contend at the slam level again.

ATP Rio

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The Rio 500 on clay was the top event on the Golden Swing and Serbia’s Laslo Djere claimed his first title 6-3 7-5 against young gun Felix Auger-Aliassime. FAA played well but Djere was the player of the week, as he upset Dominic Thiem and also claimed wins against clay courters Casper Ruud and Aljaz Bedene to reach the final. FAA defeated Fabio Fognini, Christian Garin, Jaume Munar, and Pablo Cuevas to reach the final, showing his all court talent that is set to make him a top 20 player in the near future. Djere broke into the top 40 with the win, the tournament was filled with upsets.

ATP Marseille

Young gun Stefanos Tsitsipas found form and got past Mikhail Kukushkin 7-5 7-6 in the final after defeating David Goffin, and Sergiy Stakhovsky in the late rounds to reach the final. Kukushkin upset Denis Shapovalov and Andrey Rublev before getting a winnable semi against Ugo Humbert. This indoor hard court 250 saw some early round upsets but in the end the #1 seed Tsitsipas won his second career title.

ATP Delray Beach

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Radu Albot made history, winning his first career title and breaking into the top 60 with a 3-6 6-3 7-6 win against Dan Evans in a battle of journeymen in the Delray 250 hard court final. Evans edged John Isner in the semis and upset Frances Tiafoe in round 1 while Albot got past big servers Ivo Karlovic and Nick Kyrgios before nipping Americans Steve Johnson and McKenzie McDonald to reach the final.

ATP Dubai

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Roger Federer won his 100th career title at the Dubai 500 6-4 6-4 on hard courts against the in-form Stefanos Tsitsipas. Federer found form late in the tournament after dropping sets against Philipp Kohlschreiber and Fernando Verdasco in the first two matches. Marton Fucsovics and Borna Coric were his quarterfinal and semifinal opposition, while Tsitsipas had a relatively easy path until Gael Monfils was his semifinal opponent and he prevailed in that match in a third set tiebreak. The young Greek played well but Federer was just too good.

ATP Acapulco

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The Acapulco 500 was won by the struggling big server Nick Kyrgios 6-3 6-4, as he defeated Alexander Zverev in a battle of talented finalists. Kyrgios was focused on the week, edging John Isner in the semis, Rafael Nadal in the second round, and Stan Wawrinka in the quarters while Zverev had a smooth path that included Alex De Minaur in the quarters and Cam Norrie in the semis. Kyrgios has always had the talent to be an elite player, if he can keep this form he will contend in both upcoming Masters tournaments, but that can’t be predicted.

ATP Sao Paulo

Argentina’s Guido Pella won his first ATP title, winning the 250 on clay to close the Golden Swing 7-5 6-3 against Christian Garin. Pella edged Laslo Djere in the semis, while Garin upset Ruud. Pella didn’t have the toughest draw (Roberto Carballes Baena and Marco Trungelliti) but it was still a massive accomplishment to win his first title.

Final ATP Masters Of The Season in Paris Features Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic

Posted by Admin on October 28, 2018
Posted in: ATP, Paris, Steen Kirby. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Final ATP Masters Of The Season in Paris Features Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic
Steen Kirby, Tennis Atlantic

The final full field ATP tournament of the season in Paris kicks off Monday as players look to either build for 2019 or finish 2018 in the best form. Here is your look at all the action from the Paris indoor Masters.

Nadal’s Quarter

Presuming he’s fit, Rafael Nadal will be favored against Fernando Verdasco/Jeremy Chardy, Richard Gasquet should be up in the third round at home, Gasquet will be favored against Denis Shapovalov and a struggling Jack Sock. Borna Coric should also make a run, Coric takes on Daniil Medvedev or Pablo Carreno Busta, if he gets past an in-form Medvedev it’ll be Dominic Thiem or Gilles Simon/Lucas Pouille. I’ll take Coric over Simon, with Coric facing Nadal in the quarters.

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Zverev’s Quarter

Alexander Zverev has reached consecutive semifinals, he’ll be heavily favored to reach the quarters in Paris as a path of Frances Tiafoe/Nicolas Mahut, and Diego Schwartzman (or Feliciano Lopez/Alex De Minaur) on deck. Zverev has the best form of anyone in this section and he could reach the quarters without dropping a set.

John Isner takes on Pierre-Hugues Herbert or Mikhail Kukushkin, while Kyle Edmund faces Karen Khachanov/Filip Krajinovic. Khachanov is in good form and I’ll back him to emerge into the quarters defeating Krajinovic, Edmund, and Isner before falling to Zverev.

Federer’s Quarter

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After winning Basel, Roger Federer‘s path to the quarters looks clear with Jo-Wilfried Tsonga or Milos Raonic both in poor form and first up, while Fabio Fognini should get past Marton Fucsovics/Benoit Paire before falling to Federer in round 3.

Kei Nishikori just fell to Kevin Anderson in the Vienna file and they should matchup again as Nishikori has just Adrian Mannarino/Ugo Humbert in his way while Anderson has to defeat Nikoloz Basilashvili/John Millman. I’ll take Anderson over Nishikori for a spot in the quarters.

Djokovic’s Quarter

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Novak Djokovic will start against Marco Cecchinato or Joao Sousa, with Stefanos Tsitsipas likely to defeat Peter Gojowczyk/Damir Dzumhur before facing Djokovic in round 3. Djokovic defeating Tsitsipas is the smart choice from this section, though an upset is possible.

I’ll back Roberto Bautista Agut to get past Steve Johnson, Grigor Dimitrov, and Marin Cilic to reach the quarters. Cilic and Dimitrov are struggling, though Cilic should still defeat Philipp Kohlschreiber/Robin Haase in round 2.

Predictions

Quarters

Coric d. Nadal
Zverev d. Khachanov
Federer d. Anderson
Djokovic d. Bautista Agut

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I’ll back Coric and Zverev to continue their form and make a run, Federer and Djokovic look to be on a collision course as well.

Semis
Zverev d. Coric
Djokovic d. Federer

Djokovic will be the favorite in Paris, though Zverev/Coric could certainly take it.

Final
Djokovic d. Zverev

 

Roger Federer and Stefanos Tsitsipas Among Winners At End of ATP Season

Posted by Admin on October 28, 2018
Posted in: Antwerp, ATP, Basel, Moscow, Stockholm, Vienna. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Roger Federer and Stefanos Tsitsipas Among Winners At End of ATP Season
Steen Kirby, Tennis Atlantic

It’s been an exciting couple of weeks on European indoor hard courts as the ATP season winds down. Here is your look at recent results.

ATP Antwerp

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Kyle Edmund came back from a set down and needed two tiebreaks to defeat veteran Gael Monfils in the Antwerp 250 final. Edmund got a walkover against Ilya Ivashka in the quarters but needed straight set wins against Albert Ramos and Richard Gasquet to make the final. It’s Edmund’s first title of 2018.

Monfils, who has suffered through a poor season, defeated Ruben Bemelmans, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (in 3 sets), Vasek Pospisil, and Diego Schwartzman to reach the final.

Nicolas Mahut and Edouard Roger-Vasselin teamed up to defeat Demoliner/Gonzalez in the doubles final.

ATP Moscow

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Home hero Karen Khachanov won his second ATP title of the season, defeating Adrian Mannarino in a 6-2 6-2 drubbing. Lukas Rosol, Mirza Basic, and Daniil Medvedev also lost to Khachanov, with Medvedev dropping the semifinal match in three sets.

Mannarino blitzed past Evgeny Karlovisky, Marco Cecchinato, Egor Gerasimov, and Andreas Seppi to reach the final, continuing his credible run of results after hitting age 30.

Americans Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram combined to win the doubles title defeating Mirnyi/Oswald.

ATP Stockholm

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Young gun Stefanos Tsitsipas continued his rise on the ATP tour, defeating Ernests Gulbis 6-4 6-4, after previously scoring wins against John Millman, Philipp Kohlschreiber, and Fabio Fognini. The win is the maiden ATP title for Tsitsipas.

Gulbis making the final is a blast from the past, now 30, he reached his first ATP final since 2014. He came through qualifying then defeated Mikael Ymer, Denis Shapovalov, Jack Sock, and John Isner showing he can still be a factor at the ATP level.

Brits Luke Bambridge and Jonny O’Mara combined to win the doubles title defeating Koolhof/Daniell

ATP Basel

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7-6 6-4 was the scoreline as Roger Federer won ATP title #99, this one in his home country of Switzerland against Marius Copil after previously dropping sets against Filip Krajinovic and Gilles Simon. Federer was hot and cold this week as he also scored wins against J.L. Struff, and Daniil Medvedev. In the end though he once again lifted the trophy in Basel and now has a shot to take title 100 before the year’s end.

Copil reached his second career ATP final, as he’s had a breakthrough 2018.  Copil qualified then defeated Ryan Harrison, Marin Cilic, Taylor Fritz, and Alexander Zverev to reach the final. The wins against Cilic and Zverev both of elite quality, as we should see Copil burst into the ATP top 50 next season.

Dominic Inglot and Franko Skugor defeated the Zverev brothers in the doubles final.

ATP Vienna

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Tour veteran Kevin Anderson won his second ATP title of 2018, defeating Kei Nishikori in straight sets after previously defeating Nikoloz Basilashvili, Borna Coric, and Fernando Verdasco to reach the final, Jurgen Melzer surrendered a walkover in round 2. Nishikori continued his solid season with wins against Frances Tiafoe, Karen Khachanov, Dominic Thiem, and Mikhail Kukushkin. The win against Thiem was a big one as Thiem was playing in his home tournament in Vienna.

Joe Salisbury and Ken Skupski defeated Mike Bryan and Edouard Roger-Vasselin in the doubles final.

 

Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer the @USOpen 2018 Favorites

Posted by Admin on August 26, 2018
Posted in: ATP, Steen Kirby, US Open. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer The US Open 2018 Favorites
Steen Kirby, Tennis Atlantic

The final slam of the season is here as most players are healthy and ready to go one more time at the highest level of tennis. Here is your look at the men’s draw and the chances for each competitor in Flushing Meadows at the 2018 US Open.

Nadal’s Quarter

The defending and three time US Open champion Rafael Nadal will begin against his countryman David Ferrer, who is taking part in his final US Open. Ferrer has been in a slump at the end of his career, meaning Nadal will be a strong favorite. Nadal should also ease past Vasek Pospisil or Lukas Lacko with the talented Karen Khachanov awaiting round 3. Khachanov has an easy path of Albert Ramos, a retiring Gilles Muller/Lorenzo Sonego before the third round. Presuming he stays fit Nadal should reach week 2.

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The section below Rafa is relatively weak. Jack Sock is seeded but he’s been worse than challenger level players this year, I have Sock falling to Guido Andreozzi in round 1, Nikoloz Basilashvili should beat Aljaz Bedene and Andreozzi with Kyle Edmund getting past Paolo Lorenzi and Casper Ruud/Guido Pella to reach round 3. Edmund over Basilashvili is my pick for the section.

On hard courts Dominic Thiem could be vulnerable in round 2 against Steve Johnson. Thiem will be favored against Mirza Basic in round 1 but I have Johnson defeating Denis Istomin and then upsetting Thiem after reaching the Winston-Salem final. Roberto Bautista Agut should get past Jason Kubler and Mischa Zverev/Taylor Fritz before defeating Johnson in round 3.

Kevin Anderson plays well in slams and at the US Open, Anderson should get past a challenging early round path with Ryan Harrison and Andrey Rublev/Jeremy Chardy on deck, Denis Shapovalov takes on rising countryman Felix Auger Aliassime in round 1, the winner gets Sam Querrey/Andreas Seppi. I have Anderson over Shapovalov in round 3 after Anderson beats Rublev and Shapovalov defeats Querrey.

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Del Potro’s Quarter

Juan Martin Del Potro will begin against American Donald Young with Denis Kudla or Matteo Berrettini waiting on deck. The former US Open champion Del Potro should defeat Young and Kudla followed by Andy Murray, who continues to make strides towards recovery post hip surgery. Murray should have enough game to defeat James Duckworth and Feliciano Lopez/Fernando Verdasco, but Del Potro is the favorite to win the section.

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Stefanos Tsitsipas is looking to have his breakout slam at the US Open, the young Greek opens against ageless veteran Tommy Robredo, followed by Winston-Salem champ Daniil Medvedev (or Evgeny Donskoy). Medvedev is tough but a fresher Tsitsipas should win and then defeat Borna Coric in round 3 to reach the second week (Coric should ease past Florian Mayer and Roberto Carballes Baena/Mitchell Krueger).

American #1 John Isner isn’t in great form but he should defeat Bradley Klahn, Nicolas Jarry/Peter Gojowczyk and Cam Norrie to reach the second week. Norrie has risen this year and will be the favorite against Jordan Thompson and Damir Dzumhur/Dusan Lajovic, I also wouldn’t put it past him to stun Isner.

Milos Raonic will start against Carlos Berlocq with Lloyd Harris/Gilles Simon waiting on deck. Raonic should get past Harris, who I have upsetting Simon based on great recent form. I’ll also back Stan Wawrinka to upset Grigor Dimitrov, then defeat Ugo Humbert or Collin Altamirano, two players in good form to reach the third round. Raonic over Wawrinka is my pick at that stage.

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Zverev’s Quarter

Alexander Zverev is playing well enough that he’s the 4th favorite for the US Open title. Zverev opens with Peter Polansky, who has made all 4 slam main draws this year as a lucky loser. He’ll be heavily favored to advance from a weak section that features Jiri Vesely/Corentin Moutet in round 2, an either Matthew Ebden or Yannick Hanfmann in round 3. Hanfmann faces a struggling Philipp Kohlschreiber, while Ebden takes on a struggling Filip Krajinovic.

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Kei Nishikori opens with Max Marterer, Facundo Bagnis/Gael Monfils will follow, with Diego Schwartzman likely in round 3. Schwartzman takes on Federico Delbonis with the winner of Jaume Munar/Guillermo Garcia-Lopez awaiting in round 2. I have Schwartzman over Munar and Nishikori over Monfils with Nishikori winning the section.

David Goffin will be favored to reach week 2 after a good run in Cincy. Goffin takes on Federico Gaio with Robin Haase/Mackenzie McDonald next. Haase has been in good form as well though and with Goffin being inconsistent this year I’ll back an upset with Haase into round 3 opposite J.L. Struff. Struff takes on Tim Smyczek with Marco Cecchinato/Julien Benneteau up in round 2. Haase is one of my dark horses for the tournament.

Frances Tiafoe has a real opportunity here with Adrian Mannarino up in round 1 and Taro Daniel/Alex De Minaur to follow. The young American can  win those two matches before running into a tough contest against Marin Cilic.  Cilic is heavily favored against Marius Copil and Stefano Travaglia/Hubert Hurkacz. I have Cilic winning the section.

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Federer’s Quarter

Roger Federer will begin against Yoshihito Nishioka, Federer should ease past Nishioka and Benoit Paire/Dennis Novak without dropping a set before facing a tougher test against Nick Kyrgios. Kyrgios has been out of form and focus but he’ll still be favored against Radu Albot and Yuki Bhambri/Pierre-Hugues Herbert. Federer over Kyrgios is the safe pick.

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Hyeon Chung opens with Ricardas Berankis, he’ll be tested by Noah Rubin in round 2 presuming Rubin defeats Mikhail Kukushkin. I’ll back Rubin to upset a still shaky Chung before falling to Fabio Fognini in round 3. The in-form Fognini opens with Michael Mmoh, young gun Jenson Brooksby or John Millman will be up in round 2.

Pablo Carreno Busta opens with Malek Jaziri, he’ll be a heavy favorite in his first two matches against a struggling Jaziri and Joao Sousa/Marcel Granollers, Sousa is in terrible form. In round 3 I expect Lucas Pouille to be waiting, Pouille opens with Yannick Maden, then gets the winner of Marcos Baghdatis/Mikhail Youhzny. It’s Youzhny’s final US Open but he’s likely to go out round 1. Carreno Busta over Pouille is my pick for the section.

Novak Djokovic doesn’t have his own section but he’s the tournament favorite. The Serbian superstar and Cincy champion opens with Marton Fucsovics while Richard Gasquet should beat Yuichi Sugita and Laslo Djere/Leonardo Mayer to reach round 3. Djokovic has to beat Tennys Sandgren/Viktor Troicki to do the same. Gasquet is in poor form and should be wary of Mayer but either way Djokovic will advance into week 2.

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Predictions

Round of 16
Nadal d. Edmund
Anderson d. Bautista Agut
Del Potro  d. Tsitsipas
Raonic d. Isner
Cilic d. Haase
Zverev d. Nishikori
Djokovic d. Carreno Busta
Federer d. Fognini

Upsets shouldn’t be too rampant in the round of 16, Del Potro and Raonic could get knocked off and Zverev isn’t always at his best in slams, but generally speaking things look straightforward, especially if Federer puts away Fognini.

Quarters
Nadal d. Anderson
Del Potro d. Raonic
Cilic d. Zverev
Djokovic d. Federer

I’ll back veterans Del Potro and Cilic to have good weeks with Djokovic the favorite against Federer and Nadal the favorite to reach the semis.

Semis
Nadal d. Del Potro
Djokovic d. Cilic

Djokovic should be the favorite this year while Nadal deserves credit as the winner last year. These are the top two in the game right now and Djokovic should win the final.

Final
Djokovic d. Nadal

Novak Djokovic Completes Trophy Case with ATP Cincinnati Title

Posted by Admin on August 20, 2018
Posted in: ATP, Cincinnati, Steen Kirby, Western & Southern Open. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Novak Djokovic Completes Trophy Case with ATP Cincinnati Title
Steen Kirby, Tennis Atlantic

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Novak Djokovic became the first player in the ATP era to claim all four Grand Slams, and all nine Masters level titles in his career after claiming victory in the Western and Southern Open ATP Cincinnati final defeating Roger Federer 6-4 6-4 in a gripping final where most of the pressure was on Djokovic’s shoulders. Djokovic had never defeated Federer in Cincy previous, and of course he’d never won the title. Still building his comeback post elbow surgery as he aims to return to an elite level, facing off with the still elite Federer looked to be a tough matchup. Djokovic cracked the code though as he was much stronger on serve than Fed. The Swiss tried to play aggressive both from the baseline, and at the net, but he generated too many errors, outpacing his winners. Djokovic was confident and calm and despite going a break down in set 2, he recovered nicely to ease to a straight set win that should set him up as the co-US Open favorite.

Djokovic had to battle this week in Cincy, and not just in the final. Steve Johnson pushed him in the first round, then he dropped sets against Adrian Mannarino, Grigor Dimitrov, Milos Raonic, and Marin Cilic, but battled back each time to reach the final in what were relatively high quality contests.

Federer dropped just a set before the final, as he was tested by an improving Stan Wawrinka, his other wins came against Peter Gojowczyk, Leonardo Mayer, and David Goffin, Goffin had to retire in the semifinal match.

The doubles final was won by Jamie Murray and Bruno Soares as they defeated Cabal/Farah.

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The Marshal Plan: Phil Hinkle is in the Zone at the @CincyTennis Fan Zone

Posted by Admin on August 18, 2018
Posted in: ATP, Cincinnati, Western & Southern Open, WTA. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

 

Phil Hinkle, 2018 Western & Southern Open (Photo: Tennis Atlantic)

Phil Hinkle, 2018 Western & Southern Open (Photo: Tennis Atlantic)

The Marshal Plan: Phil Hinkle is in the Zone at the @CincyTennis Fan Zone
Steve Fogleman, Tennis Atlantic
There is nothing quite like the Fan Zone at the Western & Southern Open. There’s only one way in and one way out of the facility for the players and each day finds new autograph seekers huddling in wait to meet their favorites. Even obscure players get shouted down by the all-ages throng. It’s thrilling for fans and I would imagine, players too. I overheard an adult say, “What if they did this for the Cubs?”
The answer: it’ll never happen but it would be amazing. Imagine if your favorite MLB team sauntered through the main entrance to Wrigley Field, with their bat bags in tow and still found time to be in your selfie. What if you could walk around the stadium and watch all of your favorite sluggers taking batting practice simultaneously on a dozen baseball diamonds? It’s not going to happen, unless the Cubs trade somebody really good to the Western & Southern Open for Phil Hinkle.
For there is one man who I think of when I think of the Fan Zone, and that is Phil Hinkle, a local volunteer from neighboring Indian Hill. He’s a Western & Southern Open Marshal who mans the front lines. His job is part traffic cop, part security guard and part ambassador. Hinkle’s been at his post for 33 years. At 76, his resume runs deep for the job, all the way back to ball boy at the old Tri-State Championships in the 1950s. The Tri-State Championships were the precursor of the Western & Southern Open as the Cincinnati Masters event. And despite holding one of the toughest jobs in Southwestern Ohio in the month of August, he still manages to play tennis a couple of times a week.
Phil Hinkle, 2018 Western & Southern Open (Photo: Tennis Atlantic)
Here’s how most of his day works: There is a walkway around Center Court. There is a gate which is opened and closed as players walk into the player’s locker rooms and dining facilities, so that they are able to come and go without a mob scene. The iron gates don’t roll. They’re also heavy and they need to be opened and closed every few minutes. In a stroke of genius, Hinkle and the other Marshals deputized the kids in the front row behind the gate to do the heavy lifting.
“This is a critical spot and you have to have it under control, and I figured out how to do it by myself,” he told me from the Fan Zone on Tuesday.
With a little help from the fans, of course. “We get people standing behind the fence in the front row and I say, ‘You’re going to be the motors when I say close the gates and when you push the gate up, you are going to be in front row center.’ Then the player goes by, and I say ‘open the gates’. So I can stand here and talk to you while they do their work. I’ve turned around before and the gates were closed and I didn’t see why. Then Federer would be standing in the parking lot. Just now, Tsitsipas came by and when he left, I said ‘Open the gates!’ and the fans said ‘Don’t do that’ and I turned around and Simona Halep was coming in. They help you.”
Everyone complies because it means they’re in the front row for the autograph opportunity. It’s the way he does his job that makes the Western & Southern Open such a friendly, less-pushy place compared to other tournaments of its size. He’ll give you a holler and tell you to keep the walkway clear, as he’s done to me many times in the five years I’ve covered the event. But he does it with a smile on his face. And Hinkle keeps a bunch of Sharpies in his credential holder for fans to borrow in a pinch. Tell me the last security guy who loaned you a Sharpie at the Cubs game.
Phil Hinkle, 2018 Western & Southern Open (Photo: Tennis Atlantic)
Peak times? “It gets crazy anytime someone comes in that the fans know,” he said. Especially if it’s a Roger or a Serena, early in the morning.”
“Ma’am, behind the rail, please,” he shouted as we continued to chat.
And he doesn’t get any advance notice of who’s about to arrive at the tournament despite all the technology. “If they did, then it would be tough for us to keep a straight face. People say ‘Do you know when so-and-so is coming’, and I say no and if I did know, I couldn’t tell you,” he says with his signature smile.
33 years will breed some familiarity. “You think the players don’t know you, but they do know you,” Hinkle told me. “Especially if you’ve been doing it for a long time.”
“After Michael Chang retired and was getting married, one of his friends came by and made a video of people wishing him well and I said a few words. When I saw him when he returned to (Cincinnati to) coach Nishikori, (Chang) said, ‘I was watching the tape and I remembered you!’  I said, ‘it’s been a long time since you’ve been here’ and he said,
but I remember you!”

Phil Hands a Sharpie to a fan so Delpo can give her an autograph

Phil hands a Sharpie to a fan so Delpo can give her an autograph

“And then there was the time Andre Agassi was playing in the finals (in 1995),” he continued. His coach (Brad Gilbert) was with him. They had to park in the back because he had a Lincoln instead of a Mercedes. It was a hot day and Agassi gets out and says ‘This is the hottest it’s even been here.’
And Gilbert said, ‘No, it was hotter the year I won (1989)’, and Agassi said, ‘No, this is the hottest it’s ever been.’ And I’m thinking ‘who cares about two degrees? It’s hotter than Hades. So then Gilbert turns to me and says, ‘Tell him it was hotter the year I won!’ And he remembered me from years earlier.”
Hinkle admits he’s “the old guy” at the Western & Southern Open. “By tournament age, not by physical age,” he added.
He has no plans to give up his post at the Fan Zone anytime soon. “I’m gonna do it as long as my legs hold out, which is maybe anytime,” he jokes. He’s standing on his feet for nine or more hours everyday, plus another hour or two for meetings and preparation.
Finally, I asked him to recount his favorite player-fan moment of interaction.
Roger Federer, 2018 Western & Southern Open (Photo: Tennis Atlantic)
“When Federer won (in 2014), he signed everyone’s autographs. Now we don’t allow anything in the parking lot because kids will see players signing and they’ll run between cars. After the final, I said ‘Roger, there’s one autograph I want you to give in the parking lot.’
“This lady in a wheelchair had come up from Lima, Peru and she had Lou Gehrig’s (Disease) and she’d like to get an autograph. (Federer) went over there and put his hand on her shoulder and bent down and said something to her. What he said, I don’t know. Her companion, who was pushing the wheelchair, was crying. I’m thinking about crying right now. Roger talked to her and then took the hat off her head and signed a legible Roger Federer on the hat, gave it back to her, patted her on the shoulder and said ‘Good luck’. For all I know, she was dead within three months. She couldn’t speak but her lips were quivering. I’ll never forget it.”
I won’t forget that story either, as Hinkle’s eyes welled up as he recounted the moment. And I won’t forget the work of dedicated volunteers like Phil Hinkle. He’s the glue that holds the Fan Zone together and one of the reasons why the Western & Southern Open is easily America’s friendliest big sporting event.

2018 @CincyTennis Masters Features the Return of Roger Federer and a Nadal/Djokovic Quarter

Posted by Admin on August 12, 2018
Posted in: ATP, Cincinnati, Steen Kirby, Western & Southern Open. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

2018 ATP Cincinnati Features the Return of Roger Federer and a Nadal/Djokovic Quarter
Steen Kirby, Tennis Atlantic

The 2018 Cincinnati Masters is the final Masters 1000 of the Summer hard court season and the primary US Open prep for most of the ATP’s best. Here is your look at all the action in Mason, Ohio this week.

Nadal’s Quarter:

Rafael Nadal is in the Rogers Cup final and playing great right now, however fitness could be a concern. He’ll start against a qualifier or Milos Raonic, I like Raonic to pull the upset simply because Rafa should be in need of a rest after Toronto. Look for wild card Frances Tiafoe to benefit in a big way here. Tiafoe has to get past Denis Shapovalov first, but presuming he does that Kyle Edmund/Mackenzie McDonald is beatable right now, and Raonic just lost to Tiafoe in Canada. Look for Tiafoe to emerge as an unlikely quarterfinalist.

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Novak Djokovic looks set to ease past Steve Johnson and Adrian Mannarino/Marco Cecchinato. While Djokovic disappointed in Toronto he still looks healthy and focused, that should help him defeat Grigor Dimitrov in the third round after Dimitrov defeats Damir Dzumhur/Mischa Zverev.

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Zverev’s Quarter:

Alexander Zverev has had a good summer and it would be made better if he could win Cincy. The young German will start against an in-form Robin Haase or Filip Krajinovic, with most likely Pablo Carreno Busta waiting on deck. Richard Gasquet returns from injury vs. PCB while Max Marterer or a qualifier await in round 2. This is Zverev’s section to lose.

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Marin Cilic is playing well, he should defeat Philipp Kohlschreiber or a qualifier, and then John Isner or the Toronto semifinalist Karen Khachanov to reach the quarterfinals. Isner faces Sam Querrey first, while Khachanov drew a struggling Albert Ramos. Cilic over Isner is my pick as Khachanov should be fatigued.

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Del Potro’s Quarter:

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Juan Martin Del Potro drew either Hyeon Chung or Jack Sock first. That would normally be a tough matchup but under current circumstances JMDP is a heavy favorite as Chung is still rusty and Sock is in the worst form of his career. I’ll back Borna Coric over a qualifier and a struggling Nick Kyrgios/qualifier to reach the third round before falling to Del Potro.

Toronto finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas is slated to face David Goffin first, while the player he defeated in the semis, Kevin Anderson, is in the same section. If Tsitsipas plays I’ll back him to beat a struggling Goffin and then Benoit Paire or a soon to retire David Ferrer before Anderson gets his revenge and wins in round 3. Anderson has to get past Jeremy Chardy/Fernando Verdasco to reach that point.

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Federer’s Quarter:

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Roger Federer returns to tour and should breeze past Joao Sousa/Peter Gojowczyk before facing Andy Murray round 3. Expect Murray to put up a fight after beating Lucas Pouille and Leonardo Mayer/qualifier, but he shouldn’t be at the level yet to beat Federer.

I’ll back Andrey Rublev to upset Kei Nishikori in round 1, as Nishikori was poor in Toronto. Diego Schwartzman should benefit, I’ll back DSS to defeat Stan Wawrinka and then Rublev to reach round 3 opposite Dominic Thiem. Thiem is struggling and should be on upset alert against Marton Fucsovics/qualifier. I’ll back Schwartzman or Rublev to win the section.

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Predictions

Quarters
Djokovic d. Tiafoe
Zverev d. Cilic
Anderson d. Del Potro
Federer d. Schwartzman

Zverev should perform well this week while Anderson, Federer, and Djokovic have the inside track to reach the semis.

Semis
Zverev d. Djokovic
Federer d. Anderson

This is Federer’s tournament to lose but Zverev or Djokovic should challenge him in the end.

Final
Federer d. Zverev

Seeds Unveiled @CincyTennis; Venus, Serena, Sharapova, Djokovic, Murray & Wawrinka Playing First Round

Posted by Admin on August 6, 2018
Posted in: ATP, Cincinnati, Western & Southern Open, WTA. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Cincy Media Center

 

WESTERN & SOUTHERN OPEN SEEDS ANNOUNCED

Serena, Venus, Sharapova, Djokovic, Murray and Wawrinka Among Players Without First Round Bye

CINCINNATI (August 6, 2018) — The Western & Southern Open has announced the seeds for its 2018 tournament, which will take place August 11-19 at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio.

The seeds, which are based on today’s rankings from the respective tennis tours, are headlined by the No. 1 ranked players on both the ATP World Tour – Rafael Nadal – and the WTA – Simona Halep. Sixteen players from each 56-player field are seeded, with the top eight seeds receiving first round byes.

Andy Murray (Photo: Mike Renz for Tennis Atlantic)
Andy Murray (Photo: Mike Renz for Tennis Atlantic)
Andy Murray (Photo: Mike Renz for Tennis Atlantic)
Andy Murray (Photo: Mike Renz for Tennis Atlantic)

Based on their current ranking, a number of veteran players who have frequently enjoyed a bye will not have that benefit this year and will have to play a first round match. For the women’s players, the opening round takes place Monday and Tuesday, while the men’s first round is played over three days, from Sunday until Tuesday.

Those players who will not have a bye include, to name a few, two-time W&S Open champion Serena Williams, 2011 champion Maria Sharapova, 2013 winner Victoria Azarenka, 2016 champion Karolina Pliskova and seven-time Major champion Venus Williams from the WTA.

Five-time W&S Open finalist and reigning Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic, two-time Cincinnati winner Andy Murray, three-time Major champion Stan Wawrinka, 2017 W&S Open finalist Nick Kyrgios and the top-ranked American, John Isner, are among the ATP stars who will be in action early in the week.

Below are the 16 seeds for each draw (italics indicates a player with a first-round bye):

Simona Halep, Citi Open 2017 (Photo: Tennis Atlantic)

Simona Halep, 2017 (Photo: Tennis Atlantic)

WTA
Seed/Rank Player (Country)
1/1 Simona Halep (Romania)
2/2 Caroline Wozniacki (Denmark)
3/3 Sloane Stephens (USA)
4/4 Angelique Kerber (Germany)
5/5 Elina Svitolina (Ukraine)
6/6 Caroline Garcia (France)
7/7 Garbiñe Muguruza (Spain)
8/8 Petra Kvitova (Czech Republic)
9/9 Karolina Pliskova (Czech Republic)
10/10 Julia Goerges (Germany)
11/11 Jelena Ostapenko (Latvia)
12/12 Daria Kasatkina (Russia)
13/13 Madison Keys (USA)
14/14 Venus Williams (USA)
15/15 Elise Mertens (Belgium)
16/16 Ashleigh Barty (Australia)

Novak Djokovic, 2012 ATP Cincinnati

Djokovic (Photo: Courtney Massey)

ATP World Tour
Seed/Rank Player (Country)
1/1 Rafael Nadal (Spain)
2/2 Roger Federer (Switzerland)
3/3 Alexander Zverev (Germany)
4/4 Juan Martin del Potro (Argentina)
5/5 Grigor Dimitrov (Bulgaria)
6/6 Kevin Anderson (South Africa)
7/7 Marin Cilic (Croatia)
8/8 Dominic Thiem (Austria)
9/9 John Isner (USA)
10/10 Novak Djokovic (Serbia)
11/11 David Goffin (Belgium)
12/12 Diego Schwartzman (Argentina)
13/13 Pablo Carreño Busta (Spain)
14/14 Fabio Fognini (Italy)
15/15 Roberto Bautista Agut (Spain)
16/16 Kyle Edmund (Great Britain)
These seeds are subject to change should there be any changes in the entry list this week.

Twelve women and seven men will complete the fields through the two-round qualifying tournament which will take place Aug. 11-12.

Tickets for all sessions, including the early round matches on Monday and Tuesday are on sale now. The available inventory also includes brand new premium seating areas in the just-built South Building. More information on tickets can be found at shop.cincytennis.com.