R Nadal (-4.5) games v R Gasquet – 4/6
For tennis fans, this matchup is a nostalgic one as Rafa Nadal and Richard Gasquet grew up together as kids and played more matches against each other than Robbie Keane has had football clubs. Unlike during their adult lives, Gasquet was actually getting the better of Nadal back then.
How things have changed, Rafa has gone onto to win 15 Grand Slam titles, while poor Richard has never reached a final at one of the big four. To add insult to injury, Nadal has won 14 of 15 professional matches between them.
You could easily say Rafa likes seeing Richard’s name on his side of the draw more than misses wearing his Chelsea pyjamas. So the owner of the prettiest one-handed backhands will have to relive one of his worst nightmares this evening.
Tiafoe (+4.5) games v A Zverev – 5/6
Alexander Zverev is on fire this year and although Federer was struggling with an injury last week, we have to give credit to the German for claiming the Coupe Rogers title in Montreal. It’s time to accept the fact that Zverev is a future star.
Unlike Nick Kyrgios, who’s more interested in becoming the next John McEnroe (without the Grand Slam titles), Zverev has hired Juan Carlos Ferrero to help him stay focused on tennis and his long-term goals. However, winning constantly is something that’s not easy to do and especially playing well two weeks in a row.
Zverev needs to be a bit smart here and bear in mind that US Open is right around the corner. At the end of the day, it’s all about winning the slam titles. Frances Tiafoe is a very solid player, who’s also in the category of young players with a nice future. He just hasn’t fulfilled that potential, yet.
He’s known for giving some of the top players a tough time and on the quick Cincinnati courts, he might make the German’s life a bit difficult.
V Williams v A Barty over 21.5 games – 4/5
Both women possess very strong serves and hard groundstrokes, so we expect the points to be short and mostly won by the woman tossing the ball up.
Ashleigh Barty has almost come back to top of her game after struggling with personal problems and trying out cricket (like you do). The Aussie has done remarkably well since her return.
Venus is incredibly playing close to best tennis of her career, showing great determination while battling with Sjogren’s syndrome and trying to fill the gap her little sister has left.
On a very quick surface, we expect a very tight encounter between these two big hitters.
* All odds correct at time of posting.