After Montreal, the ATP Cincinnati Open is the second major tournament of the North American hard court season. With the players who skipped Montreal returning to action, the draw is packed as players look to refine their game ahead of the US Open. There are plenty of exciting matches to look forward to on this jam-packed day. As always, we here at LWOT will be giving our predictions for every match on the Day 2 schedule. But who will advance?
ATP Cincinnati Day 2 Predictions
Alex Michelsen vs Tallon Griekspoor
Head-to-head: Michelsen 0-1 Griekspoor
Alex Michelsen has been one of the most consistent players of late, reaching the final in Newport and backing that up with a quarterfinal appearance at the Citi Open. His strong serve and power at the net make him a good player for the low bounce courts. Michelsen is making his debut at the Cincinnati Open and has battled well through qualifying. Tallon Griekspoor has lost a lot of close matches this year, but when the two met in Miami he won. This win will give him the confidence he needs for this match and I expect him to win in the end.
Prediction: Griekspoor in 3
Jiri Lehecka against Mariano Navone
Head-to-head: First meeting
Jiri Lehecka is recovering from a stress fracture of the spine that kept him out of action for three months. He last played in Madrid, where he seemed to be in top form. I would be surprised if he could play at his best level from the start after such a serious injury. But he couldn’t have asked for a better opponent in the first round. Mariano Navone has never won a main draw match on hard courts in his career. He was swept off the court by Taylor Fritz in Montreal and wants to improve his performance. It’s difficult to predict because Lehecka’s level is uncertain, but I trust in his return to the tour.
Forecast: Lehecka in 2
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Ugo Humbert vs Jordan Thompson
Head-to-head: First meeting
Ugo Humbert had a great start to the season, winning two titles, but has lost his form since the start of the clay season. He has lost four of his last six matches. However, he would be happy to be back playing on hard courts and despite losing to Nuno Borges in Montreal, he will appreciate playing at the Cincinnati Open. Jordan Thompson, on the other hand, has been in great form since the start of the North American summer. His playing style has evolved a lot and his versatility can cause problems for anyone. Humbert is higher seeded, but Thompson’s form makes me more confident. Thompson is a good returner and if he can neutralize Humbert’s serve, he will win.
Prediction: Thompson in 3
Ben Shelton vs. Reilly Opelka
Head-to-head: First meeting
Ben Shelton is still finding his best tennis that helped him reach the semifinals of the US Open last year. Shelton was eliminated in the second round of the Cincinnati Open last year and will be looking to go further this time. Reilly Opelka has made a strong comeback on the tour, reaching the semifinals in Newport and picking up a couple of wins after that. He has remained injury free, which is his biggest win. This match will be dominated by strong serves from both players and will most likely go to a tiebreak. Shelton has been the more impressive player in the tiebreak lately, which makes me want to back him.
Prediction: Shelton in 3
Photo credit: Danielle Parhizkaran – USA TODAY Sports
