Cincinnati Open 2024: Top five matches on August 15, predictions featuring Alexander Zverev, Coco Gauff & more

Defending champion Coco Gauff will commence her campaign at the Cincinnati Open on Thursday.

The second-round matches at the Cincinnati Open 2024 will commence on Thursday as the top seeds will be in action. From Alexander Zverev to Coco Gauff, top players will aim to start their campaign in the United States with a win.

Thus, with that being said, that’s take a look at the top five matches on Thursday, August 15:

5. Andrey Rublev vs Zhang Zhizhen

The 2024 Canadian Open runner-up Andrey Rublev will face China’s Zhang Zhizhen in the second round of the Cincinnati Masters. Zhang, who won the silver medal in the mixed doubles event at Paris Olympics 2024 alongside Wang Xinyu, defeated France’s Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard to secure a spot in the second round.

Rublev defeated 2024 Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner in three sets in the quarterfinals of the Canadian Open and he was the top favourite to win the title, but he was eventually outclassed by Australia’s Alexei Popyrin. The two have faced each other twice on the tour, with Rublev winning on both occasions. However, Zhang would be aiming to change that.

Prediction: Andrey Rublev to win in straight sets

4. Alexander Zverev vs Karen Khachanov

A contest of raw power awaits as Alexander Zverev faces Russia’s Karen Khachanov in the second round of Cincinnati Open 2024. Khachanov defeated Francisco Cerundolo 6-0, 6-3 and stormed into the round of 32, where he will face a tougher opponent, Alexander Zverev.

The two have faced each other six times in the last eight years on the tour. Zverev leads their head-to-head record by 4-2 and they faced each other at the Miami Open earlier this year. However, Khachanov’s current form is an issue of concern for the Russian tennis star. Zverev, also, is not in his best form, but he has faced the likes of Lorenzo Musetti, Holger Rune and Sebastian Korda recently.

Prediction: Alexander Zverev to win in three sets

3. Arthur Fils vs Brandon Nakashima

Brandon Nakashima defeated two-time Wimbledon quarter-finalist Taylor Fritz in three sets to secure a spot in the second round. Meanwhile, Arthur Fils recorded a comfortable victory against Brandon Holt in a one-sided affair. Fils lost to compatriot Ugo Humbert in the first round of the Canadian Open, but he defeated Alexander Zverev in the final of three German Open.

However, Fils as well as Nakashima have gained minimal success on hard courts. The two emerging tennis stars have locked horns against each other twice, winning one match each. Additionally, the result of their encounters has reached the decider. Thus, the match is set to be a thrilling contest.

Prediction: Brandon Nakashima to win in three sets

2. Yulia Putintseva vs Coco Gauff

Coco Gauff has recorded a series of disappointing results in her recent outings, including the 2024 Paris Olympics. As a result, the 2023 US Open winner is keen to gain momentum before she goes to Flushing Meadows as the defending champion. Additionally, Gauff is also the defending champion in Cincinnati, and her only win over Iga Swiatek came in the same arena.

However, Yulia Putintseva broke Iga Swiatek’s 21-match unbeaten streak on the tour in the third round of the Wimbledon Championships in July. However, the Kazakh tennis star’s current form has also been questionable in her recent campaigns.

Prediction: Coco Gauff to win in straight sets

1. Hubert Hurkacz vs Yoshihito Nishioka

Hubert Hurkacz missed the 2024 Paris Olympics due to an injury, but he made his return to the hardcourt season with a win over Australia’s Thanasi Kokkinakis in Montreal. However, he later lost to another Aussie, Popyrin, in the quarterfinals.

The 5th seed will commence his campaign in Cincinnati against Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka, who has made his way into the main draw with an astounding performance in the qualifiers. The Japanese tennis star was going to face Cameron Norrie in the first round, but the Brit has to withdraw from the tournament due to injury concerns. It will be their first meeting on the tour.

Prediction: Hubert Hurkacz to win in straight sets

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