Cincinnati Open 2024: Top five matches on Day 1; predictions featuring Lorenzo Musetti, Stefanos Tsitsipas and more

Novak Djokovic will not defend his title at the 2024 Cincinnati Open.

The main draw of the 2024 Cincinnati Open has been announced and defending champion Novak Djokovic has already withdrawn from the ATP 1000 Masters event. Australia’s Alex de Minaur will also miss the tournament due to a hip injury.

The top eight seeds are yet to find their opponents for the second round. However, some exciting match-ups are already on the table for tennis enthusiasts in the first round. Thus, with that being said, let’s take a look at the top five matches on Day 1 of the 2024 Cincinnati Open and their predictions:

5. Ben Shelton vs Reilly Opelka

A returning Reilly Opelka will face compatriot Ben Shelton in the first round of the 2024 Cincinnati Open. Both tennis stars have a highly aggressive playing style, and they enjoy smashing aces and holding service games. Opelka, who is 6 feet and 11 inches tall, is always a menace to face on the tennis court. However, his injuries have also restricted him from playing to his realistic calibre.

Meanwhile, Shelton reached the semi-finals of the 2023 US Open and has built commendable endurance to play long matches with huge rallies. Ranked 14 in the world, Shelton has always struggled with inconsistency and that is one of the major factors restricting him from entering the top 10. However, Ben Shelton is expected to defeat Opelka in the first-round fixture.

Prediction: Ben Shelton to beat Reilly Opelka in straight sets

4. Nicolás Jarry vs Lorenzo Musetti

Lorenzo Musetti has been in different form since the Wimbledon Championships. The Italian tennis star reached the semifinals at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, and then won the bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. However, it’s time for the 22-year-old to exhibit his prowess on the hard courts.

Meanwhile, Nicolás Jarry reached the final of the 2024 Italian Open, where he lost to Alexander Zverev. Since then, the Chilean tennis star has failed to reach even the second round of any tournament. At the Canadian Open, he was eliminated in the first round by Argentina’s Tomás Martín Etcheverry.

Prediction: Lorenzo Musetti to win in straight sets

3. Karen Khachanov vs Francisco Cerúndolo

Karen Khachanov and Francisco Cerúndolo have already faced each other three times this year, and the Russian tennis star has managed to win on all three occasions. Cerúndolo is yet to win a match against Khachanov, although three of their five meetings have gone into three sets.

The Russian tennis ace would aim to maintain his perfect record against the Argentine. However, Cerúndolo would be eager to record his first win over the two-time Grand Slam semi-finalist.

Prediction: Karen Khachanov to win in three sets.

2. Jan-Lennard Struff vs Stefanos Tsitsipas

Despite being 34, Jan-Lennard Struff has the potential to outperform many youngsters on the tour. In his last three meetings against four-time Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz, Struff has stretched all the matches to full sets. On the other side, Stefanos Tsitsipas‘ struggles with his form are well-documented.

Since the ATP 500 Barcelona Open, he hasn’t played the final of any competition on the tour. Additionally, he lost to a returning Kei Nishikori in his opening match of the 2024 Canadian Open. Interestingly, he lost to the 34-year-old German in Halle earlier this year in straight sets. The head-to-head record of the two tennis players is currently tied at 4-4. However, tennis enthusiasts will see the equal record favor one side soon.

Prediction: Jan-Lennard Struff to win in three sets.

1. Matteo Berrettini vs Holger Rune

After returning on the tour, Matteo Berrettini has been in decent form since the Stuttgart Open. He lost in the final to Jack Draper in Stuttgart. However, he has won the Swiss Open and the Austrian Open. Additionally, on his way to the titles, he has handed defeats to the likes of Stefanos Tsitsipas, Felix Augur Aliassame, Alejandro Tabilo, and more.

On the contrary side, Holger Rune is yet to attain his previous form since last year’s US Open. The Dane hasn’t won a title this season as he has been highly inconsistent. At the German Open, he withdrew from the quarterfinals against Arthur Fils, and due to a similar injury, he withdrew from the 2024 Paris Olympics. In Montreal, he lost to Alexander Zverev in the round of 16, and in Cincinnati, he will face an in-form Matteo Berrettini.

Prediction: Matteo Berrettini to win in straight sets.

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