Three picks from the Cincinnati Open second round today, and honestly most of these feel pretty settled on paper. We'll see if the courts have any say in that.
Cincinnati Open Predictions
Alexander Zverev vs Cameron Norrie
Head-to-head: Zverev 7-2 Norrie
Seven wins from nine is a pretty one-sided rivalry, and Norrie hasn't beaten Zverev since 2021. Hard courts are where the gap between these two is most obvious. Zverev's serve and his ability to step around and hit that forehand down the line gives Norrie's sliced backhand absolutely no room to breathe, and Norrie doesn't have the pace to hurt him in return.
Hard to see this being competitive at all.
Prediction: Zverev in 2
Rafael Jodar vs Denis Shapovalov
Head-to-head: Jodar 1-2 Shapovalov
Shapovalov leads the H2H and when he's on, his one-handed backhand and flat ball-striking can trouble almost anyone on hard courts. The problem is he's been wildly inconsistent over the past year and you never quite know which version shows up. That said, Jodar has been a steadier presence but hasn't made enough noise at this level to feel confident backing him in three sets against a player with Shapovalov's ceiling.
Prediction: Shelton in 3
Jan-Lennard Struff vs Alejandro Tabilo
Head-to-head: First meeting
Tabilo has been one of the more pleasant surprises on tour over the last twelve months, stringing together results on hard courts that most people didn't see coming. Struff is always dangerous when his big serve is working, but he tends to struggle when opponents can absorb pace and redirect it, which is exactly what Tabilo does well. First meetings are always a bit of a coin flip, but I think the ranking gap here understates how much better Tabilo has looked recently and should still find a way to get through here, all things considered.
Prediction: Tabilo in 3
For full predictions on ATP and WTA matches today, check out Uppset.
Credit Image: © Wally Nell/ZUMA Press Wire