Cincinnati Open 2024 Day 3: Men's singles predictions ft. Alexei Popyrin vs Gael Monfils
The first-round matches will wrap up on Day 3 of the Cincinnati Open 2024 on Wednesday, August 14. 10th seed Tommy Paul bit the dust on the very first day as he was shown the door by Flavio Cobolli. His fellow American Taylor Fritz followed in his footsteps on the second day.
Fritz went down to compatriot Brandon Nakashima in three sets in his opener. Both of them failed to win a match at last week's Canadian Open as well. 13th seed Ugo Humbert was also sent packing by Jordan Thompson in the first round here.
With half of the draw already in the second round, the remaining players will look to do the same on Wednesday. Here are the predictions for a few key matches lined up on Day 3 of the Cincinnati Open:
#1 - Gael Monfils vs Alexei Popyrin
Monfils has an 18-17 record for the season and has gone 10-9 on hardcourts. He previously reached the fourth round of the Indian Wells Masters and the third round of the Miami Open. However, he crashed out in the first round of last week's Canadian Open with a 6-3, 6-3 loss to Thanasi Kokkinakis.
Popyrin, meanwhile, enjoyed the best week of his career as he went on to win the Canadian Open, his very first Masters title. He beat five top 20 players en route to the title and saved three match points against Grigor Dimitrov in the quarterfinals as well.
Popyrin secured a comfortable 6-2, 6-4 win over Andrey Rublev in the final. Given that Monfils is currently on a three-match losing streak as well, the in-form Australian has a good shot to extend his unbeaten run at the Cincinnati Open.
Predicted winner: Alexei Popyrin
#2 - Tomas Machac vs Max Purcell
Machac has a 20-14 record for the season, and half of those wins have come on hardcourts. He even defeated 24-time Major champion Novak Djokovic this year, albeit on clay. He also won the gold medal in mixed doubles at the Paris Olympics.
Following a third-round exit from Wimbledon, Purcell resumed his hardcourt swing at the Atlanta Open, where he made the quarterfinals. He then lost in the first round of the Citi Open and the Canadian Open. He has compiled a 12-18 record this season so far.
Purcell's only win at the Masters level this year has come at the Madrid Open. He made the quarterfinals of the Cincinnati Open last year, his first in singles at the Masters. However, a deep run seems unlikely this time as Machac has outperformed him this season, and will be expected to make it to the next round.
Predicted winner: Tomas Machac
#3 - Tomas Martin Etcheverry vs Matteo Arnaldi
Out of Etcheverry's 22 wins this season, only three have come on hardcourts. Arnaldi, meanwhile, has a healthy 14-9 record on the surface. He previously made the fourth round of the Miami Open at the start of the season.
The Italian reached his maiden Masters semifinal at the recently concluded Canadian Open. He will now make his main draw debut at the Cincinnati Open. Etcheverry bowed out in the first round on his debut here last year.
Arnaldi has also leapfrogged Etcheverry in the latest ATP rankings following his semifinal finish at the Canadian Open. Given his recent form and his opponent's poor record on hardcourts this season, the young Italian will be expected to make a winning debut at the Cincinnati Open.
Predicted winner: Matteo Arnaldi
#4 - Adrian Mannarino vs Nuno Borges
Mannarino won three titles from four finals in a career-best season last year. However, it has all gone sideways for him this season. He started quite well, with a fourth-round finish at the Australian Open and a semifinal showing at the Dallas Open.
Since a third-round exit from the Indian Wells Masters in the first week of March, Mannarino has won only one match until now. He's currently on an eight-match losing streak to boot.
Borges came through the qualifying rounds of the Cincinnati Open to book his place in the main draw. The highlight of his season has been winning his maiden ATP title at the Swedish Open by beating Rafael Nadal in the final.
Borges' best result on hardcourts this year has been a fourth-round appearance at the Australian Open. He reached the third round of the Canadian Open too. Given how Mannarino has struggled in the last few months, the Portuguese will be expected to advance further.
Predicted winner: Nuno Borges