As we move closer to the Final Major of the year, players are fine-tuning their games to ensure peak performance in New York..
So let’s have a look to see who are the stand out performers so far and who is looking good to win the Masters 1000 in Ciccinnati, Ohio in 2024.
The top seed in this year’s tournament in Jannik Sinner. Sinner is expected to make the final here but will likely face Andrey Rublev in the quarter final. Rublev just beat Sinner in 3 sets in the quarter final in Montreal so that will be an interesting encounter if it happens. Sinner will face Griekspoor or Michelsen in the second round after a first round bye and could face Thompson or Humbert in the third round. Thompson has shown he is capable of surprise results this year so never discount him.
The other side of this quarter has 11th seed Taylor Fritz and 13th seed Ugo Humbert. Fritz will be looking for an improvement on his last 16 finish in Montreal but the conditions in Cincinnati will suit him and he will only get better as the tournament progresses. Fritz will need to overcome compatriot Brandon Nakashima in the first round and Humbert in the second round to set up a potential last 16 meeting with Rublev.
The second quarter features third seed Alexander Zverev who gets a first round bye and will face Karen Khachanov in the second round. A somewhat kind draw should see Zverev in to the quarter finals. His possible opponents there include the number eight seed Grigor Dimitov who is having a stellar year, or he could face American Ben Shelton. Shelton had an early exit in Montreal to eventual champion Alexei Popyrin and will be hoping for a lot more in Cincinnati.
Hubert Hurkacz (5) and Daniil Medvedev (4) are the top names in the 3rd quarter. Hurkacz is just back after injury but played well in Montreal making the quarter final, losing in a tight 3-setter to Popyrin. He will be confident in the second round against Nishioka or Kecmanovic. Medvedev will face Lehecka or Navone in the second round. Even though Lehecka is returning from injury, he should beat Navone and could provide a good test for Medvedev in the second round. Lorenzo Musetti, who is having a career season will be a threat to all in this quarter if he continues to play at a high level.
Carlos Alcaraz makes a welcome return to the US hard courts after his loss to Novak Djokovic at the Olympics. His first match could be tricky one as he will likely face the newly crowned champion of Montreal, Alexei Popyrin. Alcaraz may need to adjust quickly to overcome the Australian. Assuming he overcomes that obstacle, Alcaraz could meet Tsitsipas, Ruud or Auger Aliassime in the quarter finals.
ODDS
It’s no surprise to see Alcaraz is the favourite at 2.68 0n the Betfair Exchange, while Jannik Sinner is 5.1
Novak Djokovic is absent.
Semi Final Predictions: Alcaraz v Musetti, Dimitrov v Fritz
Final: Alcaraz v Dimitrov
Winner: Alcaraz