After the Olympics and the awkward tournament in Toronto where the organisation had to cope with numerous retirements, defections and the rain, it’s time for Cincinnati.
Once again Rafa can’t play because of his knee injury and unfortunately also Tsonga had to pull out because of a freak accident while he was jogging. But we have the rest of the pack.
Top seeds are: Federer, Djokovic, Murray, Ferrer, Berdych, Del Potro, Tipsarevic and Monaco.
Q1 – Federer
Comfortable path for Roger that will play the first match with either Nieminem or Bogolomov JR to then possibly play Kohlschreiber, Monaco/Fish (Mardy should be exhausted). The good news for the Maestro is that Murray once again did fall in Nole’s half, so Roger should play either Berdych or Ferrer in the semis.
An important point is that if Djokovic doesn’t win Toronto, if Roger gets to the quarters in Cincy he will retain the world no.1 rank.
Quarter prediction: Federer – Monaco
Q2 – Ferrer
Tricky draw as David should play Wawrinka in his first match and then possibly Granollers (that is currently playing pretty well) to then face Berdych/Raonic (the Canadian maybe tired if he advances in Toronto).
Quarter prediction: Ferrer – Berdych
Q3 – Murray
Andy is recently quite unlucky in his draws. The interesting thing is that he always manages to find a way through. He will play Querrey/Melzer in his 1st match, then Benetteau/Roddick, Isner/Del Potro to plausibly face Nole in the semis.
Quarter prediction: Murray – Isner (Delpo is quite tired at the moment)
Q4 – Djokovic
Besides the fact the Murray fell in his half, Nole has a decent draw to face Seppi/Haase, then crazy Dolgolopov and Tipsarevic/Cilic
Quarter Prediction: Djokovic – Tipsarevic
Interesting 1st round matches:
Raonic – Gasquet
Harrison – Tomic (the battle of teenagers)
Haas – Nalbandian (the battle of veterans – Haas just defeated the Argentine in Toronto 6-2 6-7 (11) 6-3)
