The warmth is on the highest tennis gamers on the Cincinnati Open

This summer time of surprises peaks this week in Cincinnati, the final main tune-up for the US Open. On the ATP aspect, solely two of the 10 occasions since Wimbledon had been gained by males ranked within the high 10. The obvious motive: The one Large Three consultant to swing a racket since Wimbledon has been Montreal champion Rafael Nadal.

The WTA outcomes had been much more tumultuous. Not one of many seven occasions was claimed by a top-10 participant, though 4 of the seven occasions featured not less than certainly one of them. 9 of the WTA’s high 10, together with Serena Williams, turned out for Rogers Cup (Toronto).

The champion? Bianca Andreescu, the rising Canadian star who was ranked No. 152 on Jan. 1.

All of which means the highest gamers shall be feeling some strain to type out their hard-court video games this week in Cincinnati. Listed here are a number of the storylines that shall be resolved because the Western & Southern Open will get underway:

Serena: Ought to she, or should not she?

Williams’ lack of ability to play various video games within the ultimate in opposition to Andreescu had a devastating impression on the 23-time Grand Slam singles champ. The phrase “heartbreaking” was utilized by many to explain Williams’ shedding battle with tears as she informed the group in Toronto: “I am not a crier.”

1 Associated

The tablet should have significantly bitter as a result of Williams made a important choice to organize for the upcoming US Open by coming into each main US Open tune-up occasions (Toronto and Cincinnati) — the primary time she did so since 2015. The explanation? She stated after shedding the Wimbledon ultimate: “Perhaps [the solution] is taking part in different finals outdoors of Grand Slams could be actually useful simply to form of get within the groove so by the point I get to a Grand Slam ultimate, I am form of used to what to do and how you can play.”

Williams produced some good tennis in Toronto, however the again spasms that compelled her to give up the ultimate create a dangerous equation. The damage is a well-known, momentary one. As she informed reporters, “I’ve had this earlier than and it is, like, 24, 36 hours the place I am simply in loopy spasm after which it is, like, gone.”

However does she threat recurrence by returning to the courtroom as quickly as Tuesday or jeopardize her probabilities in New York by doubtlessly taking part in two grueling hard-court occasions that finish only a week earlier than the Open begins? For the time being, Williams stays the No. 10 seed in Cincinnati. Ought to she play, she might meet No. 1 Naomi Osaka for the second occasion in a row within the quarterfinals, and Wimbledon champ Simona Halep within the semis.

In successful in Cincinnati final 12 months, Novak Djokovic turned the one man to have gained every of the 9 prestigious Masters 1000 titles not less than as soon as. Matthew Stockman/Getty Pictures

That is been the recurring query ever for the reason that top-ranked star sloughed out of a droop at Wimbledon in 2018. He is been on hearth since then (his W-L thus far beginning at that occasion: 64-9). What’s worse for his challengers is that Djokovic lastly cracked the Cincinnati code final 12 months, successful his first ultimate in six tries. Nothing shameful about that document. His 5 losses in finals had been to Roger Federer (Three) and Andy Murray.

To high it off, in successful in Cincinnati final 12 months, Djokovic accomplished a feat that has eluded even his two Large Three friends, Nadal and Federer. He is the one man to have gained every of the 9 prestigious Masters 1000 titles not less than as soon as. Name it a “Profession Masters Slam.”

However these particulars do not imply his rivals do not have an opportunity. Each of his Cincy nemeses, Federer and Murray, are within the draw (Nadal pulled out after successful in Montreal). Djokovic has been considerably cavalier about sub-Slam occasions this 12 months — particularly these like Indian Wells and Miami that don’t determine as tune-ups for Slams. The one one he gained in 5 tries was the French Open prep occasion in Madrid.

Djokovic appears to have his work minimize out for him. He might meet serving terrors Sam Querrey and John Isner back-to-back in his first two matches.

Osaka is in a jam

She could also be again on the top-ranking spot she surrendered to Ash Barty about two months in the past, however you may virtually hear Osaka going beep-beep-beep as she backed into the spot. Barty simply hasn’t had the outcomes these days to maintain her place. Will a return to the highest present Osaka with motivation or bury her below nonetheless extra of the strain she’s had such a tough time dealing with?

Osaka has gained three matches at a event simply as soon as this 12 months after she vaulted to No. 1 together with her win on the Australian Open. That was in Madrid on her least favourite floor (clay). Osaka misplaced within the first spherical at Wimbledon, however as a substitute of loading up on matches on the laborious courts, she delayed a return to her finest floor till simply final week. It could have been a strategic error.

Williams gained their first assembly since final 12 months’s controversial US Open ultimate within the quarterfinals of Toronto. And the ladies are penciled in as quarterfinal opponents in Cincinnati.

“I knew her recreation a bit bit extra, in order that’s a bit simpler,” Williams stated after the Toronto win. “And, you realize, I am simply total a bit bit higher. Final 12 months was … a miraculous 12 months for me, to be trustworthy.”

Osaka’s ideas: “I feel I stayed constructive all through all my matches [in Toronto]. I attempted various things. … I feel shifting on ahead into Cincinnati and into New York, I can have plenty of constructive issues.”

Murray is diving into the deep finish

A skeptic might be forgiven for questioning, “What was Andy considering?” Murray is making an unexpectedly swift return to singles after hip resurfacing surgical procedure six months in the past. And he is doing at arguably the sixth or seventh most vital occasion of the 12 months.

Murray resumed his profession at Queens and Wimbledon however performed simply doubles. He expressed doubts at Wimbledon about competing — even in doubles — throughout the U.S. hard-court swing. Now he is eyeing the singles title on the event he final gained in 2011.

Murray informed reporters he has “zero ache” in his hip, however he additionally admitted he did not count on this week to maneuver in addition to he might and finally may. However he additionally believes that remaining pain-free throughout doubles matches and intensive singles observe left the door open to a fast comeback.

“At some stage you must take the step to attempt to play,” Murray stated. “The quickest approach to stand up to hurry is by being on the observe and match courtroom with high gamers.”

All the way down to No. 324 within the rankings however straight into tournaments because of the protections given injured gamers, Murray meets Richard Gasquet in his first match. If he survives, he is more likely to face a frightening problem in No. four seed Dominic Thiem.

Do not be shocked if Murray takes a wild card into the US Open, irrespective of how he fares in Cincinnati.

Bianca Andreescu ran the desk to change into the primary Canadian to win the Rogers Cup in 50 years on Sunday. Julian Avram/Icon Sportswire through Getty Pictures

Is Andreescu for actual?

The run to the title at Indian Wells was unbelievable at finest. Andreescu, then simply 18 years previous, ranked No. 60 on the earth and hailed by few outdoors her speedy circle, turned the primary wild card ever to win Indian Wells — the event some name the “fifth Grand Slam.” When she was compelled off the tour simply weeks later with a rotator cuff damage that might stay troublesome for months, it was tempting to explain her exploits as a fluke. Not anymore.

After a untimely return on the French Open resulted in Andreescu issuing a second-round walkover, she returned pain-free on the Rogers Cup in Toronto. She ran the desk to change into the primary Canadian to win her nationwide championships in 50 years — battling by way of 4 three-set matches and a troublesome two-set semi. She led Williams Three-1 within the first set of the ultimate when Williams retired with again spasms.

Andreescu is an unprepossessing righthander. She stands simply 5-foot-7 however has a cultured, well-rounded recreation. Her biggest asset is her aggressive grit. Her success goes to offer each elite WTA star pause within the coming days. Look ahead to her potential second-round match with former No. 1 Karolina Pliskova, the No. Three seed in Cincy.

After the Toronto ultimate, Williams described Andreescu as an “previous soul,” saying: “She undoubtedly does not seem to be a 19-year-old in her phrases, on courtroom and her recreation, her perspective, her actions.”

Battle of the Subsequent Gen stars

The desk is ready for a Subsequent Gen shootout with a brace of 23-year-old Russians pushing the 2 most celebrated Subsequent Gen stars. Daniil Medvedev and Karen Khachanov, ranked Nos. eight and 9 respectively, met within the semis of the Rogers Cup. Medvedev, whose mix of consistency and energy proceed to impress, prevailed. He performed his second ultimate of the summer time (the primary was at Washington D.C.) in opposition to Nadal. Khachanov’s energy speaks for itself, particularly on sooner laborious courts.

Ranked simply forward of these two: No. 6 Alexander Zverev and No. 7 Stefanos Tsitsipas. Zverev, who as soon as towered over the Subsequent Gen crew actually at 6-foot-6 in addition to figuratively, has been spinning his wheels. Tsitsipas, 20, caught up with the 22-year-old Zverev early this 12 months, however he is tailed off — opening the door additional for the 2 younger Russians.

Medvedev has been a nemesis for Tsitsipas; they may meet within the third spherical. Khachanov might have to beat each Nick Kyrgios (who gained Washington D.C. over Medvedev) and Djokovic if he hopes to get past the quarterfinals.

And lest we neglect, No. Three Federer is again in motion in Cincinnati, penciled in because the potential quarterfinal opponent of Tsitsipas.