Monday, 31 August 2020

US Open - Men’s Singles Preview

US Open - Men’s Singles Preview


Some would have you believe that Novak Djokovic is the beneficiary of Rafa Nadal and Roger Federer not competing at this years US Open.

Not so. The world’s number one has had the measure of those two at majors for many years. 3-0 over Nadal since 2014 and 6-0 over Federer since 2012.


The actual winners from the absence of those two, especially Nadal, are the young guns, hoping to have a shot at Grand Slam glory.

The path remains difficult - seven best of five sets victories - but Thiem as second seed won’t need to meet one of the Big 3 until the final, and it could be classed crudely as Djokovic against the rest in some circles.

Djokovic is red hot favourite, with last years finalist Medvedev next in line, then Tsitsipas and Thiem. No one else is given a chance, Raonic on the fifth line but at long odds.


Searching for those likely to do well, let’s look at the draws of the top seeds.


Novak Djokovic (1)


The top seed opens his tournament against Damir Dzumhur, a player he has beaten easily each time they’ve met, and after he’s repeated the dose, Kyle Edmund should be the second and more demanding opponent.

The Brit defeated Djokovic on the Madrid clay in 2018, but four times on hard courts Djokovic has had his measure, including last year in Paris.

Edmund lost first round in the Western & Southern Open.

Jan-Lennard Struff (28) could provide an interesting clash in the third round; the German was impressive in defeating de Minaur, Shapovalov and Goffin in the Western & Southern Open, before falling to Djokovic. Hard to see him reversing that result at the same venue a week later.

Big serving John Isner (16) looms as round of sixteen opposition, providing the American can sneak past Pablo Carreno Busta (20), and the Spaniard did defeat Isner in their only meeting in Cincinnati last year.

Djokovic hasn’t lost to Carreno Busta, and last fell to Isner in 2013, victorious in the last 7 meetings.

David Goffin (7) is seeded to play Djokovic in the quarter finals, but he has a tough first round match against Reilly Opelka, who beat Schwartzman and Berrettini in the Western & Southern Open. Filip Krajinovic (26) is a potential third round opponent, and the Serbian beat Dominic Thiem en route to a quarter final in the Western & Southern Open.

A round of sixteen match against Denis Shapovalov (12) is possible, and the pair have met once, in Tokyo last year, where Goffin was successful.


Djokovic should win a quarter final against Goffin.


Stefanos Tsitsipas (4)


Tsitsipas was a semi finalist at the Western & Southern Open.

He plays Albert Ramos Vinolas in the first round, to whom he hasn’t lost in two meetings. Jozef Kovalik may be his second round opposition, and he did lose to the Slovakian, though three years ago in a Scheveningen Challenger on clay.

A third round contest with Borna Coric (27) is likely. Tsitsipas won their only clash in Rome in 2018, but it was a retirement after five games.

Last year was ordinary for both at Flushing Meadows, Tsitsipas losing to Rublev in the first round, and Coric withdrawing prior to his second round encounter with Dimitrov.

Cristian Garín (13) is seeded to play Tsitsipas in the round of sixteen, and they haven’t played each other before. Garin bombed out in the first round of the Western & Southern Open so doesn’t have many claims here.

The smart money is for a quarter final between Tsitsipas and fifth seed Alexander Zverev.

However, Zverev must overcome unseeded Kevin Anderson in probably the most anticipated first round match of the tournament.

Anderson, finalist in 2017, has slipped in the rankings due in large part to injury, and it took Tsitsipas to eliminate him from the Western & Southern Open second round.

Zverev has won all five of their contests.

Beyond Anderson, the draw opens up for Zverev, with a win over Hubert Hurkacz (24) likely but trouble brewing with an expected Diego Schwartzman (9) clash. Schwartzman leads 2-1 head to head, including a win at last years US Open in the fourth round.


Stefanos Tsitsipas has a lousy US Open return from his two visits, but I see a marked improvement this year with a quarter final victory over Diego Schwartzman.


Daniil Medvedev (3)


Last years finalist pushed Nadal to the brink, and proved that he has the game to win a major. As defending Western & Southern Open champion, he did ok, reaching the quarter finals, before Roberto Bautista Agut sent him packing in a tight three setter.

First round opponent Federico Delbonis, hasn’t played Medvedev before, and his US Open record is not astonishing, never having passed the second round.

Laslo Djere could be a second round complication, and he has beaten Medvedev, but only when the Russian was a shadow of the player he is now.

Guido Pella (29) has been giving the US Open a shot since 2012, and never reached the round of sixteen. The third round is where his run should end again this year, courtesy of Medvedev, despite Pella having defeated the third seed on both occasions they have met. (on clay)

Grigor Dimitrov (14) defeated Federer in the quarter finals last year and is favoured to reach the round of sixteen this year. Medvedev stopped the Bulgarian’s run in 2019, and should do likewise in 2020.

Matteo Berrettini (6) was a semi finalist last year, and although his form is questionable coming into the Open, he has a reasonable draw, and should reach the final eight.


The seedings will be reflected with Daniil Medvedev surviving a quarter final contest with Matteo Berrettini.


Dominic Thiem (2)


Thiem was second seed and lost his only match at the Western & Southern Open. Irrespective, his position as second seed in the US Open allows him the privilege of avoiding Djokovic until the final should they both end up there.

Thiem enjoys a 3-0 head to head record over Jaume Munar, his opening round opponent. 

Bradley Klahn or Sumit Nagal will be the second round opponent and neither has faced Thiem before. Both are blessed with less than stellar US Open records and present no real threat to the second seed.

Marin Cilic (31), is one of only three former champions in the field, and the 2014 victor will give Thiem plenty to ponder should they meet in the third round. Cilic made the round of sixteen last year, and was a quarter finalist in 2018.

Félix Auger-Aliassime (15) is the expected opponent in the fourth round for either Thiem or Cilic, but he has some work or do before confirming that spot. Andy Murray is likely to play him in the second round. Dan Evans (23) is also a factor in that section.

Roberto Bautista Agut (8) pushed Djokovic to the absolute limit in the Western & Southern Open semi finals. 

He has a tough first round match against Tennys Sandgren, 2020 Australian Open quarter finalist, and of more interest is a possible third round match between Bautista Agut and Western & Southern Open finalist Milos Raonic (25).

Karen Khachanov (11) is expected to await the winner in a round of sixteen encounter, but his US Open record is average at best, and he could face problems from Alex de Minaur (21).


Dominic Thiem (2) could just edge out Milos Raonic (25) in an excellent quarter final.


In short, these are my predicted final four (as per the seedings):


Novak Djokovic (1) v Stefanos Tsitsipas (4)

Daniil Medvedev (3) v Dominic Thiem (2)


Dark horse: Roberto Bautista Agut (8)

US Open - Women’s Singles Preview

US Open - Women’s Singles Preview


Without the worlds top two ranked players, and four others in the top ten not competing, the possibilities for this years US Open appear a deal wider than would normally be the case.


2016 finalist, and world #3, Karolina Pliskova, is the top seed, but is on the third line of betting behind equal favourites and former champions Serena Williams (3rd seed) and Naomi Osaka (4th seed).

Second seed and this years Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin, is on the fourth line of betting together with sixth seed Petra Kvitová.


Clearly, with the COVID-19 virus curtailing almost all tennis since March, players have had little tournament preparation leading into the Open.


Looking through the top seeded players, their draws, plus any recent performances, we may be able to gauge prospective chances over the next fortnight.


Karolina Pliskova (1)


In her first match since tennis returned, the Czech big server lost to Veronika Kudermetova at the Western & Southern Open in the past week.

Anhelina Kalinina should pose no problems first up, but former top five player Caroline Garcia is a likely second round opponent. Their head to head record is 3–3, with Garcia winning their past battle in Tianjin in 2018.

Garcia defeated Sloane Stephens at the Western & Southern Open before falling to eventual champion Vika Azarenka.

Assuming Pliskova overcomes Garcia, she is drawn to meet Jennifer Brady (28j, the winner of the Top Seed Open in Lexington.

The only previous meeting with Brady was at the 2017 US Open, where Pliskova surrendered just a single game.

A replay of the 2016 US Open final could come in the round of sixteen if 17th seed Angie Kerber finds her way there. If Pliskova reverses the 2016 result, her quarter final match up is expected to be 8th seed Petra Martic.

The pair met three times in 2019, Pliskova winning in Miami and in the Zhengzhou final, before losing in the Roland Garros third round.


I predict Pliskova’s advance to a semi final, having had a rigorous couple of tests along the way, the toughest Petra Martic in the quarters.


Naomi Osaka (4)


Osaka qualified for the Western & Southern Open final, but withdrew because of injury. However, the tournament match play was useful and much of her tennis was promising.

The draw seems kind initially for Osaka - Misaki Doi hasn’t beaten her, and neither has potential second round foe Camila Giorgi. If Alison Van Uytvanck knocks out Giorgi, then Osaka meets someone she has lost in their only meeting. Three years on though, circumstances are different, and a first round loss last week for the Belgian doesn’t augur well.

The third round could be a clash with Anastasija Sevastova (31), who Osaka defeated twice last year. The Americans would hope that CoCo Gauff might spoil that by upsetting the Latvian in the first round and progressing through to set up a replay of the 2019 US Open third round and 2020 Australian Open third round. Gauff lost in New York last year, but gained revenge in Melbourne this year.

Anett Kontaveit (14) took Osaka to three sets in the Western & Southern Open quarters, and is likely to test her again in the round of sixteen at this US Open.

The 0-4 record against the fourth seed is a little flattering to Osaka.

Although Petra Kvitová (6) was defeated by fellow Czech player Marie Bouzkova in the Western & Southern Open, her experience, and area of the draw suggests she should navigate a way to the quarters. The dual Wimbledon champ may have to exact revenge on Bouzkova on her path, plus manage a tough battle with 11th seed Elena Rybakina.


Petra Kvitová to prevail in a quality quarter final against Anett Kontaveit.


Serena Williams (3)


Serena has been busy, playing both in Lexington and New York. As top seed in the Top Seed Open in Kentucky, she bowed out to compatriot Shelby Rogers, and in the relocated Western & Southern Open, it was Maria Sakkari who signed the farewell papers in a brutal round of sixteen encounter.

The US Open draw appears to have given the six times champion an even break, as her first opponent and prospective ones thereafter should see her advance safely into the round of sixteen.

Kristy Ahn, her first round obstacle, had never passed the first round of a major until her round of sixteen effort at last years US Open, but she doesn’t have the weapons to bother Serena, nor does Margarita Gasparyan, who hasn’t beaten her, or Monica Puig, who hasn’t played her. They are in the section which will enable Serena to reach the third round.

Seeded to contest this match is Sloane Stephens (26), but I don’t believe she will reach there based on her lack of form, opening round defeats in Lexington and the Western & Southern Open. Govortsova should be the opponent given her pushing Ons Jabeur to three sets in Lexington.

Serena will find it tougher in the round of sixteen when she should face her recent conqueror, Maria Sakkari (15). Amanda Anisimova (22) may offer some resistance, but probably fall a little short.

Then it is the quarter final and if the seedings are followed, either 2017 US Open finalist Madison Keys (7) or 2020 Australian Open finalist Garbiñe Muguruza (10) will trouble Serena.

Keys lost badly to Ons Jabeur in her only official match since tennis resumed, but she had been playing unofficial stuff to gain match fitness. 


However, I’m picking Muguruza to defeat both Keys and then Serena in a quarter final upset.


Sofia Kenin (2)


Kenin lost her only match in the Western & Southern Open, and is perhaps burdened with the trickiest road to what would for her be a second major in 2020.

First task is to defeat veteran Yanina Wickmayer, a semi finalist here in 2009, but ranked in the 100s these days. With struggling results in qualifying in Palermo and Prague, the Belgian is unlikely to test Kenin, whereas Vera Zvonareva, the 2010 finalist, could be more of a contest in the second round, considering her run at the Western & Southern Open, coming through qualifying to reach the round of sixteen, losing to semi finalist Johanna Konta.

Possible match ups further along include form players:

Third round could be Ons Jabeur (27), quarter finalist at both the Top Seed Open and Western & Southern Open. Round of sixteen could be Elise Mertens (16), finalist at the Prague Open and semi finalist at the Western & Southern Open. Of course Mertens may have to deal with former champion Kim Clijsters or Ekaterina Alexandrova (21) before then.

Whoever makes the quarter final, Kenin or someone else, they must face a player from the Aryna Sabalenka (5) section, and this 

includes unseeded Vika Azarenka, fresh from collecting the Western & Southern Open trophy.

She could be Sabalenka’s second round opponent.

Johanna Konta is a possible round of sixteen clash for Vika or Aryna, but Venus Williams and Karolina Muchova are dangerous.


The quarter final I envisage is Vika Azarenka versus Sofia Kenin with Azarenka winning out.


In summary, my predictions (no Americans in the last four - see me fail !)


Semi finals 


Karolina Pliskova (1) v Petra Kvitová (6)

Garbiñe Muguruza (10) v Victoria Azarenka 


Dark horse : Ons Jabeur (27)

Sunday, 30 August 2020

Djokovic scores 2nd Western & Southern Open title

A thrilling three setter on final day in the Western & Southern Open.

2020 Western & Southern Open - an ATP Masters 1000 category tournament, on Hard, Laykold, in New York City, 22-28 August 2020.

Defending champion:

Daniil Medvedev (9) who defeated David Goffin (16) 7-6(3) 6-4


Final result:


Novak Djokovic (1) defeated Milos Raonic 1-6 6-3 6-4


The comeback victory gave Djokovic his second Western & Southern Open title, and 35th Masters 1000 crown, equaling Nadal. Djokovic is the only player to have won all 9 Masters 1000 tournaments, and he has won each of them at least twice.

This is the third title for Djokovic this year, including the Australian Open, and with his wins in the ATP Cup, his unbeaten run has extended to 26, 23 in 2020.

Milos Raonic, by making the final, has risen 12 spots to #18 in the rankings.


The US Open begins on Monday, and the opening round matches for these finalists are:


Djokovic (1) v Damir Dzumhur as part of the first night session on Arthur Ashe Stadium 

Raonic (25) v Leo Mayer on Tuesday 

Azarenka wins Western & Southern Open by walkover

The final of the Western & Southern Open wasn’t held because of a Naomi Osaka hamstring injury.

2020 Western & Southern Open - a WTA Premier 5 category tournament, on Hard, Laykold, in New York City, 22-28 August 2020.

Defending champion:

Madison Keys (16) who defeated wildcard Sveta Kuznetsova 7-5 7-6(5)


Final result:


Victoria Azarenka was handed a walkover by wildcard Naomi Osaka (4) due to a hamstring injury.


So all the statistics relating to finals for both players are redundant. However, Azarenka still records her 21st title and second Western & Southern Open.

The victory enables a jump of 32 spots in the rankings to #27.

Osaka moves up one place to #9.


Not much rest before the US Open begins. 

In opening round matches, Osaka plays Misaki Doi on Arthur Ashe Stadium as part of the first night session on Monday, while Azarenka plays Barbara Haas on Tuesday.

Saturday, 29 August 2020

ATP - Cincinnati (New York) semi finals

Semi final day in the Western & Southern Open.

2020 Western & Southern Open - an ATP Masters 1000 category tournament, on Hard, Laykold, in New York City, 22-28 August 2020.

Defending champion:

Daniil Medvedev (9) who defeated David Goffin (16) 7-6(3) 6-4


Semi final results:

- Novak Djokovic (1) defeated Roberto Bautista Agut (8) 4-6 6-4 7-6(0) Djokovic is now 22-0 for 2020.

- Milos Raonic defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas (4) 7-6(5) 6-3 


The final: Novak Djokovic (1) (Serbia) v Milos Raonic (Canada)


Djokovic has won all 10 meetings the two have had, including a straight sets quarter final victory at this year’s Australian Open.

This will be the third final the pair has contested, following Masters 1000 tournaments in Paris 2014 and Indian Wells 2016.


Djokovic is aiming for a 35th Masters 1000 title, and second Western & Southern Open, adding to his 2018 victory. He’d previously lost Cincinnati finals in 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012 and 2015.


Raonic is in his fourth Masters 1000 final, having lost to Nadal in Canada 2013, in addition to the Djokovic losses above.

WTA - Cincinnati (New York) semi finals

Semi final day in the Western & Southern Open.

2020 Western & Southern Open - a WTA Premier 5 category tournament, on Hard, Laykold, in New York City, 22-28 August 2020.

Defending champion:

Madison Keys (16) who defeated wildcard Sveta Kuznetsova 7-5 7-6(5)


Semi final results:

- Wildcard Naomi Osaka defeated Elise Mertens 6-2 7-6(5)

- Victoria Azarenka defeated Johanna Konta (8) 4-6 6-4 6-1


The final: Wildcard Naomi Osaka (4) (Japan) v Victoria Azarenka (Belarus)


Osaka leads the head to head battle with Azarenka 2-1, the most recent match a victory to Osaka in the second round at Roland Garros last year.

This is the eighth final for Osaka - of the seven she has contested, 2 have been majors which she has won, 2 have been Premier Mandatory (the next highest category) which she has won, and 3 have been Premier, 1 of which she has won.

Three titles came in 2019, the last in Beijing in October.


This is Azarenka’s 38th final, the first since Monterrey in April last year where she lost to Garbiñe Muguruza. Her last win was in Miami in April 2016.

Azarenka will be aiming to claim her 21st title, and second Western & Southern Open, adding to her 2013 triumph where she defeated Serena Williams in the final via a third set tie break.

Friday, 28 August 2020

US Open draw released

The US Open, due to commence on 31 August, with no qualifying this year, has had its draws released.

There have been a number of withdrawals prior to the draw, mostly due to caution taken by players surrounding the corona virus.
Included amongst these are:

Ashleigh Barty (world ranked 1)
Simona Halep (2)
Elina Svitolina (5)
Bianca Andreescu (6) 2019 champion 
Kiki Bertens (7)
Belinda Bencic (8)

Rafa Nadal (2) 2019 champion 
Roger Federer (4)
Gaël Monfils (9)

If results reflect seedings, then the quarter final match ups should be these:

Women’s Singles

Karolina Pliskova (1) v Petra Martic (8)
Naomi Osaka (4) v Petra Kvitová (6)
Madison Keys (7) v Serena Williams (3)
Aryna Sabalenka (5) v Sofia Kenin (2)

Men’s Singles 

Novak Djokovic (1) v David Goffin (7)
Stefanos Tsitsipas (4) v Alexander Zverev (5)
Matteo Berrettini (6) v Daniil Medvedev (3)
Roberto Bautista Agut (8) v Dominic Thiem (2)

In the women’s draw, Kerber, Osaka, Stephens, Clijsters and the Williams sisters, are all previous US Open champions, in addition to other Grand Slam glory. 
Muguruza, Kvitová, Azarenka and Kenin are winners of other majors.

In the men’s draw, Djokovic, Murray and Cilic are all previous US Open champions, in addition to other Grand Slam glory.
No one else has tasted major success.

Thursday, 27 August 2020

ATP - Cincinnati (New York) quarter finals

Quarter final day in the Western & Southern Open.

2020 Western & Southern Open - an ATP Masters 1000 category tournament, on Hard, Laykold, in New York City, 22-28 August 2020.

Defending champion:

Daniil Medvedev (9) who defeated David Goffin (16) 7-6(3) 6-4


Quarter final results:

Novak Djokovic (1) defeated Jan-Lennard Struff 6-3 6-1

- Roberto Bautista Agut (8) defeated Daniil Medvedev (3) 1-6 6-4 6-3

- Stefanos Tsitsipas (4) defeated Reilly Opelka 5-6 (retired)

- Milos Raonic defeated Filip Krajinovic 4-6 7-6(2) 7-5


Semi final match ups 


Novak Djokovic (1) v Roberto Bautista Agut (8)

Stefanos Tsitsipas (4) v Milos Raonic 

WTA - Cincinnati (New York) quarter finals

Quarter final day in the Western & Southern Open.

2020 Western & Southern Open - a WTA Premier 5 category tournament, on Hard, Laykold, in New York City, 22-28 August 2020.

Defending champion:

Madison Keys (16) who defeated wildcard Sveta Kuznetsova 7-5 7-6(5)


Quarter final results:

- Elise Mertens (14) defeated qualifier Jessica Pegula 6-1 6-3

- Wildcard Naomi Osaka (4) defeated Anett Kontaveit (12) 4-6 6-2 7-5

- Johanna Konta (8) defeated Maria Sakkari (13) 6-4 6-3

- Victoria Azarenka defeated Ons Jabeur 7-6(9) 6-2


Semi final match ups 


Elise Mertens (14) v wildcard Naomi Osaka (4)

Johanna Konta (8) v Victoria Azarenka 

Wednesday, 26 August 2020

ATP - Cincinnati (New York) round of sixteen complete

Round of sixteen complete and quarter finals set in the Western & Southern Open.

2020 Western & Southern Open - an ATP Masters 1000 category tournament, on Hard, Laykold, in New York City, 22-28 August 2020.

Defending champion:

Daniil Medvedev (9) who defeated David Goffin (16) 7-6(3) 6-4


Round of sixteen results:

- Novak Djokovic (1) defeated wildcard Tennys Sandgren 6-2 6-4

- Jan-Lennard Struff defeated David Goffin (7) 6-4 3-6 6-4

- Daniil Medvedev (3) defeated qualifier Aljaz Bedene 6-3 6-3

- Roberto Bautista Agut (8) defeated Karen Khachanov (11) 4-6 6-3 6-2

- Reilly Opelka defeated Matteo Berrettini (6) 6-3 7-6(4)

- Stefanos Tsitsipas (4) defeated John Isner (16) 7-6(2) 7-6(4)

- Milos Raonic defeated wildcard Andy Murray 6-2 6-2

- Filip Krajinovic defeated qualifier Marton Fucsovics 6-2 6-1


Quarter final match ups 


Novak Djokovic (1) v Jan-Lennard Struff 

Daniil Medvedev (3) v Roberto Bautista Agut (8)

Reilly Opelka v Stefanos Tsitsipas (4)

Milos Raonic v Filip Krajinovic 

WTA - Cincinnati (New York) round of sixteen complete

Round of sixteen complete and quarter finals set in the Western & Southern Open.

2020 Western & Southern Open - a WTA Premier 5 category tournament, on Hard, Laykold, in New York City, 22-28 August 2020.

Defending champion:

Madison Keys (16) who defeated wildcard Sveta Kuznetsova 7-5 7-6(5)


Round of sixteen results:

- Elise Mertens (14) defeated 6-2 6-3

- Qualifier Jessica Pegula defeated Aryna Sabalenka (5) 6-2 2-6 6-3

- Wildcard Naomi Osaka (4) defeated Dayana Yastremska (16) 6-3 6-1

- Anett Kontaveit (12) defeated Marie Bouzkova 6-3 6-3

- Johanna Konta (8) defeated qualifier Vera Zvonareva 6-4 6-2

- Maria Sakkari (13) defeated Serena Williams (3) 5-7 7-6(5) 6-1

- Ons Jabeur defeated qualifier Christina McHale 6-3 6-0

- Victoria Azarenka defeated Alizé Cornet 6-4 7-5


Quarter final match ups 


Elise Mertens (14) v qualifier Jessica Pegula 

Wildcard Naomi Osaka (4) v Anett Kontaveit (12)

Johanna Konta (8) v Maria Sakkari (13)

Ons Jabeur v Victoria Azarenka 

Tuesday, 25 August 2020

ATP - Cincinnati (New York) second round complete

Second round complete and round of sixteen set in the Western & Southern Open.

2020 Western & Southern Open - an ATP Masters 1000 category tournament, on Hard, Laykold, in New York City, 22-28 August 2020.

Defending champion:

Daniil Medvedev (9) who defeated David Goffin (16) 7-6(3) 6-4


Second round results:

- Novak Djokovic (1) defeated qualifier Ricardas Berankis 7-6(2) 6-4

- Wildcard Tennys Sandgren defeated Felix Auger-Aliassime (15) 6-7(4) 6-2 7-6(5)

- Jan-Lennard Struff defeated Denis Shapovalov (12) 7-6(4) 3-6 6-4

- Daniil Medvedev (3) defeated qualifier Marcos Giron 6-4 6-4

- Qualifier Aljaz Bedene defeated Taylor Fritz 7-6(5) 7-5

- Karen Khachanov (11) defeated Pablo Carreno Busta 7-6(8) 6-1

- Roberto Bautista Agut (8) defeated Richard Gasquet 7-5 6-1

- Matteo Berrettini (6) defeated qualifier Emil Ruusuvuori 6-4 6-7(3) 7-5

- Reilly Opelka defeated Diego Schwartzman (9) 6-3 7-6(4)

- John Isner (16) defeated John Millman 4-6 7-6(3) 7-6(5)

- Wildcard Andy Murray defeated Alexander Zverev (5) 6-3 3-6 7-5

- Milos Raonic defeated Daniel Evans 6-3 7-5

- Qualifier Marton Fucsovics defeated Grigor Dimitrov (14) 7-5 4-6 6-2

- Filip Krajinovic defeated Dominic Thiem (2) 6-2 6-1

WTA - Cincinnati (New York) second round complete

Second round complete and round of sixteen set in the Western & Southern Open.

2020 Western & Southern Open - a WTA Premier 5 category tournament, on Hard, Laykold, in New York City, 22-28 August 2020.

Defending champion:

Madison Keys (16) who defeated wildcard Sveta Kuznetsova 7-5 7-6(5)


Second round results:

- Elise Mertens (14) defeated Kristina Mladenovic 6-1 6-7(5) 6-3

- Qualifier Jessica Pegula defeated Amanda Anisimova 7-5 6-2

- Aryna Sabalenka (5) defeated qualifier CiCi Bellis 6-7(1) 6-4 7-5

- Wildcard Naomi Osaka (4) defeated Karolina Muchova 6-7(5) 6-4 6-2

- Dayana Yastremska (16) defeated Bernarda Pera 7-6(5) 4-6 6-3

- Anett Kontaveit (12) defeated qualifier Jil Teichmann 6-3 6-4

- Marie Bouzkova defeated Petra Kvitová (6) 2-6 7-5 6-2

- Johanna Konta (8) defeated qualifier Kirsten Flipkens 6-2 6-0

- Qualifier Vera Zvonareva defeated qualifier Laura Siegemund 6-1 6-1

- Maria Sakkari (13) defeated Yulia Putintseva 6-4 7-6(9)

- Serena Williams (3) defeated qualifier Arantxa Rus 7-6(6) 3-6 7-6(0)

- Ons Jabeur defeated Madison Keys (7) 6-4 6-1

- Qualifier Christina McHale defeated Ekaterina Alexandrova 6-1 7-6(8)

- Victoria Azarenka defeated Caroline Garcia 6-2 7-6(8)

Monday, 24 August 2020

ATP - Cincinnati (New York) first round complete

First round complete in the Western & Southern Open. Two second round matches were also played.

2020 Western & Southern Open - an ATP Masters 1000 category tournament, on Hard, Laykold, in New York City, 22-28 August 2020.

Defending champion:

Daniil Medvedev (9) who defeated David Goffin (16) 7-6(3) 6-4


First round results:

- Wildcard Tennys Sandgren defeated Lorenzo Sonego 6-3 7-6(7)

- Qualifier Marcos Giron defeated qualifier Mackenzie McDonald 7-6(2) 7-5

- Qualifier Aljaz Bedene defeated Cristian Garin (13) 6-4 6-7(8) 6-0

- Karen Khachanov (11) defeated Alexander Bublik 6-4 6-4

- Richard Gasquet defeated qualifier J.J. Wolf 6-4 6-4

- Qualifier Emil Ruusuvuori defeated qualifier Sebastian Korda 7-6(3) 4-6 7-5

- Diego Schwartzman (9) defeated Casper Ruud 7-6(2) 6-3

- John Isner (16) defeated Hubert Hurkacz 7-5 6-4

- John Millman defeated Adrian Mannarino 4-6 6-4 7-6(2)

- Daniel Evans defeated Andrey Rublev (10) 7-5 3-6 6-2

- Grigor Dimitrov (14) defeated Ugo Humbert 6-3 6-4

- Qualifier Marton Fucsovics defeated qualifier Norbert Gombos 6-3 6-4


Second round results:

- Stefanos Tsitsipas (4) defeated Kevin Anderson 6-1 6-3 

- David Goffin (7) defeated Borna Coric 7-6(6) 6-4

WTA - Cincinnati (New York) first round complete

First round complete in the Western & Southern Open. Two second round matches were also played.

2020 Western & Southern Open - a WTA Premier 5 category tournament, on Hard, Laykold, in New York City, 22-28 August 2020.

Defending champion:

Madison Keys (16) who defeated wildcard Sveta Kuznetsova 7-5 7-6(5)


Kim Clijsters was a late withdrawal with an abdominal injury, after the main draw was published, and was replaced by lucky loser Daria Kasatkina.


First round results:

- Elise Mertens (14) defeated Rebecca Peterson 6-0 6-2

- Qualifier Jessica Pegula defeated Jennifer Brady 7-6(5) 6-4

- Qualifier CiCi Bellis defeated qualifier Oceane Dodin 6-2 3-6 7-6(1)

- Anett Kontaveit (12) defeated lucky loser Daria Kasatkina 6-3 6-1

- Qualifier Jil Teichmann defeated Danielle Collins 6-3 6-3

- Marie Bouzkova defeated qualifier Anna Kalinskaya 6-1 7-5

- Qualifier Kirsten Flipkens defeated Katerina Siniakova 6-3 6-3

- Qualifier Vera Zvonareva defeated Magda Linette 1-6 6-3 6-1

- Qualifier Laura Siegemund defeated Marketa Vondrousova (10) 6-3 6-7(3) 6-4

- Yulia Putintseva defeated Zhang Shuai 6-4 6-3

- Qualifier Arantxa Rus defeated Alison Van Uytvanck 6-2 6-3

- Ons Jabeur defeated qualifier Leylah Fernandez 0-6 6-4 6-3

- Qualifier Christine McHale defeated Iga Swiatek 6-2 6-4

- Caroline Garcia defeated wildcard Sloane Stephens 6-3 7-6(4)


Second round results:

- Veronika Kudermetova defeated Karolina Pliskova (1) 7-5 6-4

- Alizé Cornet defeated Sofia Kenin (2) 6-1 7-6(7)

Sunday, 23 August 2020

ATP - Cincinnati (New York) first round start

First round commenced in the Western & Southern Open.

2020 Western & Southern Open - an ATP Masters 1000 category tournament, on Hard, Laykold, in New York City, 22-28 August 2020.

Defending champion:

Daniil Medvedev (9) who defeated David Goffin (16) 7-6(3) 6-4


First round results:

- Qualifier Ricardas Berankis defeated wildcard Tommy Paul 6-7(4) 6-4 7-5

- Felix Auger-Aliassime (15) defeated Nikoloz Basilashvili 6-4 6-1

- Denis Shapovalov (12) defeated Marin Cilic 6-3 6-3

- Jan-Lennard Struff defeated Alex de Minaur 6-2 6-4

- Borna Coric defeated Benoit Paire 6-0 1-0 (retired)

- Taylor Fritz defeated qualifier Lloyd Harris 6-1 6-3

- Pablo Carreno Busta defeated Dusan Lajovic 7-5 6-1

- Reilly Opelka defeated qualifier Cameron Norrie 6-3 6-4

- Kevin Anderson defeated Kyle Edmund 7-6(3) 4-6 6-3

- Wildcard Andy Murray defeated wildcard Frances Tiafoe 7-6(6) 3-6 6-1

- Milos Raonic defeated Sam Querrey 6-4 6-4

- Filip Krajinovic defeated qualifier Salvatore Caruso 7-5 6-4

WTA - Cincinnati (New York) first round start

Round one commenced in the Western & Southern Open.

2020 Western & Southern Open - a WTA Premier 5 category tournament, on Hard, Laykold, in New York City, 22-28 August 2020.

Defending champion:

Madison Keys (16) who defeated wildcard Sveta Kuznetsova 7-5 7-6(5)


First round results:

- Veronika Kudermetova defeated Ajla Tomljanović 5-7 6-3 7-5

- Kristina Mladenovic defeated Anastasija Sevastova 6-3 6-4

- Amanda Anisimova defeated Alison Riske (11) 6-3 6-3

- Karolina Muchova defeated qualifier Ann Li 6-4 6-4

- Bernarda Pera defeated Heather Watson 6-1 3-6 6-3

- Dayana Yastremska (16) defeated wildcard Venus Williams 5-7 6-2 7-5

- Maria Sakkari (13) defeated Coco Gauff 6-1 6-3

- Ekaterina Alexandrova defeated Elena Rybakina (9) 7-5 7-6(6)

- Victoria Azarenka defeated Donna Vekić (15) 6-2 6-3

- Alizé Cornet defeated wildcard Caty McNally 6-0 6-4

Wawrinka wins Prague Challenger

Final day in the Prague Challenger.

2020 I.CLTK Prague Open By Moneta an ATP Challenger tournament, on Red Clay, in Prague, Czech Republic, 15-22 August 2020.

Defending champion:

Qualifier Mario Vilella Martinez who defeated Tseng Chun-hsin 6-4 6-2


The final:


Wildcard Stan Wawrinka (1) (Switzerland) v Aslan Karatsev (Russia)


Wawrinka served first, and the first two games would be the longest of the opening set.

The top seed lost two points at 40-30, but saved the break point to hold.

Karatsev, from 15-40 in the next game, saved the two break points, plus another to equalise at 1-1.

No hassle from the line for either player after that, at least for ten games, Wawrinka winning 21 of 26 points, and Karatsev 21 of 28 points, on their respective serves.

The Russian won the first two points of the tie break, but none thereafter, leaving Switzerland ahead 7-6(2).


Set two saw Wawrinka convert the second of two chances to break in game three. He couldn’t take advantage of another opportunity in game five, but still led 4-2 before Karatsev endured three trips to deuce to keep it close.

Karatsev held again for 4-5, but Wawrinka had no difficulty serving it out to take the title, 7-6(2) 6-4 the final scoreline.


Wawrinka moves up two spots in the rankings to #15, and Karatsev jumps 58 places into the top 200 at #195.

Saturday, 22 August 2020

ATP - Prague Challenger semi finals

Semi final day in the Prague Challenger.

2020 I.CLTK Prague Open By Moneta an ATP Challenger tournament, on Red Clay, in Prague, Czech Republic, 15-22 August 2020.

Defending champion:

Qualifier Mario Vilella Martinez who defeated Tseng Chun-hsin 6-4 6-2


Semi final results:

Wildcard Stan Wawrinka (1) defeated wildcard Michael Vrbensky 5-7 6-3 6-3

- Aslan Karatsev defeated Pierre-Hugues Herbert (3) 7-5 7-6(7)


The final will be:


Wildcard Stan Wawrinka (1) (Switzerland) v Aslan Karatsev (Russia)


Wawrinka has been taken to three sets in all his four matches, while unseeded Karatsev (world ranked 269) has won all his five matches in straight sets, knocking out seeds #2, #3, #7 and #14 in the process.

This will be the fourth ATP Challenger final for Karatsev, his one win coming in Turkey in 2015, the year he achieved his highest ranking of 153.

Friday, 21 August 2020

Cincinnati - WTA Premier 5

This week, the Western & Southern Open will be held, incorporating both WTA Premier 5 and ATP Masters 1000 tournaments.
It would normally be held in Cincinnati, Ohio. However this year, because of the COVID-19 situation, Flushing Meadows, the site of the US Open, will be the host.

2020 Western & Southern Open - a WTA Premier 5 category tournament, on Hard, Laykold, in New York City, 22-28 August 2020.

Defending champion:

Madison Keys (16) who defeated wildcard Sveta Kuznetsova 7-5 7-6(5)


The following players withdrew after entering but before the main draw was published:


- Belinda Bencic replaced by Alice Cornet 

- Kiki Bertens replaced by Alison Van Uytvanck 

- Fiona Ferro replaced by Victoria Azarenka 

- Sveta Kuznetsova replaced by Ajla Tomljanović 

- Garbiñe Muguruza replaced by Bernarda Pera

- Barbora Strycova replaced by Katerina Siniakova 


Karolina Pliskova, world number 3, is top seed.

The other seeds are all in the top 15

The top 7 seeds have first round byes

Cincinnati - ATP Masters 1000

This week, the Western & Southern Open will be held, incorporating both WTA Premier 5 and ATP Masters 1000 tournaments.
It would normally be held in Cincinnati, Ohio. However this year, because of the COVID-19 situation, Flushing Meadows, the site of the US Open, will be the host.

2020 Western & Southern Open - an ATP Masters 1000 category tournament, on Hard, Laykold, in New York City, 22-28 August 2020.

Defending champion:

Daniil Medvedev (9) who defeated David Goffin (16) 7-6(3) 6-4


The following players withdrew after entering but before the main draw was published:


- Nick Kyrgios replaced by Kyle Edmund 

- Rafa Nadal replaced by Sam Querrey 

- Kei Nishikori replaced by Lorenzo Sonego 

- Guido Pella replaced by Alexander Bublik 

Albert Ramos Viñolas replaced by Richard Gasquet 


Novak Djokovic, world number 1, is top seed.

The other seeds are all in the top 12

The top 7 seeds have first round byes