ATP Masters Cincinnati: Tsitsipas, Rublev & Goffin in action today, Thiem, Djokovic and Zverev only on Monday
The schedule for the Western & Southern Open for this Sunday is ready. Of the top five on the seeding list, only Stefanos Tsitsipas will be in action. The Greek meets Kevin Anderson at around 11:00 p.m. Central European Time. Dominic Thiem , Novak Djokovic , Daniil Medvedev and Alexander Zverev will only get into the action on Monday.
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit: Aug 23, 2020, 08:47 am
Stefanos Tsitsipas has probably got the toughest second round draw of all top seeded players. The Greek, after all number four in the tournament, will face Kevin Anderson this Sunday, who was able to bring down Kyle Edmund on Saturday. The two have faced each other three times so far, Tsitsipas is 2-1 head-to-head in the front, but the last duel between the two went to the South African Anderson. Right before this duel, Hubert Hurkacz and John Isner meet at the Grandstand.
Meanwhile, some secret favorites join the tournament on Court 17. Andrey Rublev, for example, who will make his first appearance against Dan Evans. Before that, Casper Ruud and Diego Schwarzman will open the game day. The last match of the day on Court 17 will be played by Borna Coric and last year's finalist, David Goffin.
Grigor Dimitrov, Karen Khachanov and Cristian Garin are also contesting their opening matches today. They all go into their first round games as clear favorites, Alexander Bublik as Khachanov's opponent can still be classified as the most unpleasant chunk. At Dimitrov, it will also be possible to see how fit the Bulgarian is going to work, as he recently complained more about the after-effects of his COVID-19 infection.
Thiem, Djokovic, Zverev only on Monday
In any case, the big favorites for the tournament victory will not compete this Sunday: Dominic Thiem, Novak Djokovic and the defending champion, Daniil Medvedev. All of them will only get into the tournament on Monday, but at least their opening opponents have already been determined. While Djokovic was assigned a completely solvable task with Ricardas Berankis, Dominic Thiem meets a very unpleasant opponent.
Filip Krajinovic, who recently beat the world number one Novak Djokovic on the Adria Tour, only to be defeated by Dominic Thiem in the final. A final that was highly competitive, however, so the Austrian would do well not to underestimate his opening opponent. Alexander Zverev also got anything but an easy opening opponent, with Andy Murray waiting for a former number one on the seventh in the world rankings.
Here is the schedule for today's Sunday.
And here you can find the draw of the Western & Southern Open.