Cincinnati Open 2024: Top five matches August 17, predictions featuring Jannik Sinner, Iga Swiatek & more

Alexander Zverev can leapfrog Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic in the rankings if he wins the Cincinnati Open

The 2024 Cincinnati Open is in full swing and the whole tennis world is currently glued. From Carlos Alcaraz‘s second round shock exit to Coco Gauff coming up short against Yulia Putintseva, the event has been a ride of thrills and unexpected results.

Hence, with that being said, let’s take a look at the top five matches on Saturday, September 17:

5. Ben Shelton vs Alexander Zverev

Alexander Zverev currently has the most wins on the tour, 51. Moreover, he has a great chance to become the new World No. 2 ahead of the 2024 US Open, after Carlos Alcaraz lost to Gael Monfils in the second round. However, second seed Ben Shelton will give tough competition to the German tennis star.

Zverev took down Karen Khachanov in the second round, who was also an aggressive baseliner, much like Shelton. However, as an American, last year’s US Open semi-finalist is familiar with the hard courts in Cincinnati. It will be the two tennis stars’ first meeting on the tour.

Prediction: Alexander Zverev to win in three sets.

4. Holger Rune vs Jack Draper

Two young tennis stars, Holger Rune and Jack Draper will face other in the quarter-finals at the 2024 Cincinnati Open. Rune has not been in his best form for a long time. Earlier this year, he was one of the top seeds on the tour; however, he’s currently ranked 16th in the world. He’s yet to win a title in 2024 and has also parted ways with his former coach Patrick Mouratoglou.

Meanwhile, Jack Draper became a famous name on the tour after he defeated Matteo Berrettini in the final of the Stuttgart Open. He lost in the first round to Jordan Thompson at the Canadian Open. However, he has reached the quarter-finals in Cincinnati with wins over Jaume Munar, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Felix Augur Aliassime. Draper stands a fair chance of outclassing Rune and restricting him from reaching a big semi-final.

Prediction: Jack Draper to win in three sets.

3. Iga Swiatek vs Mirra Andreeva

Out of the top five ranked WTA players, only Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka are currently remaining in the women’s singles draw. Swiatek defeated 15th seed Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine in straight sets and secured a spot in the quarter-finals, where she will face Russian prodigy Mirra Andreeva.

The 2024 Paris Olympics silver medalist has caught decent momentum on hard courts. After a comfortable opening round victory over former World No. 1 Karolina Pliskova, she defeated two-time singles Grand Slam finalist Italy’s Jasmine Paolini in three sets. Interestingly, it will be the first meeting between the two tennis stars.

Prediction: Iga Swiatek to win in two sets.

2. Hubert Hurkacz vs Frances Tiafoe

Frances Tiafoe won a mouth-watering three-set thriller against Jiri Lehecka of Czechia on Friday, with the final scoreline reading 6-4, 6-7 (10-12), 7-6 (7-5). Additionally, Tiafoe has also recorded a win over 2024 Paris Olympics bronze medalist Lorenzo Musetti in the second round.

Meanwhile, Hubert Hurkacz has taken down Flavio Cobolli and Yoshihito Nishioka in his two initial matches in Cincinnati. Hurkacz missed the 2024 Paris Olympics and he also failed to impress at the Canadian Open, coming up short against Australia’s Alexei Popyrin. While the Pole is desperate for a title, Frances Tiafoe won’t let him do that easily.

Prediction: Frances Tiafoe to win in two sets.

1. Jannik Sinner vs Andrey Rublev

Jannik Sinner and Andrey Rublev will face each other for the second time in less than a week. The two locked horns against each other in the quarter-finals at the 2024 Canadian Open, where the Russian recorded a three-set victory over the World No. 1. Sinner was seen limping and he suffered from fitness concerns.

However, he returned to the Cincinnati Masters with a 6-4, 7-5 victory over America’s Alex Michelsen. Jordan Thompson later withdrew from his third round fixture and Sinner would face Rublev with sufficient rest. Rublev has recorded wins over Zhang Zhizhen and Brandon Nakashima. Thus, the match is expected to play a crucial role in both tennis stars’ build-up to the US Open.

Prediction: Jannik Sinner to win in three sets

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