The 2025 Cincinnati Open is set to kick off its first-round matches on Thursday, featuring unseeded players since all seeded participants have received byes into the second round. This year’s competition brings intriguing storylines, such as a former women’s champion attempting a surprising comeback and a rising star making their debut at this premier hard-court event.
The tournament’s structure allows players to leverage their previous hard court performances and current form to identify potential betting opportunities. Among these, the “Upset Alert” section highlights underdogs who may deliver unexpected victories, while the “Lock It In” section focuses on favorites poised to secure wins. In addition, the “Value Bets” section emphasizes close matchups that could present favorable betting slots.
In the “Upset Alert” category, Yafan Wang is set against Peyton Stearns. Despite Stearns having the ability to dominate with her powerful forehand, her recent poor form – including a tough loss to 45-year-old Venus Williams – may render her vulnerable to Wang’s challenge. Another noteworthy matchup features Caroline Garcia, a former Cincinnati champion, facing Sonay Kartal. Garcia’s aggressive style could play to her advantage, especially as Kartal returns from a break since Wimbledon.
In the “Lock It In” segment, Matteo Arnaldi, currently ranked No. 41, is favored against Benjamin Bonzi, who has struggled significantly this season. Joao Fonseca is also favored against Yunchaokete Bu, showcasing his impressive recent performances on hard courts, including wins at the Challenger level and the Next Gen ATP Finals.
For value betting, the match between Gael Monfils and Nishesh Basavareddy sees Monfils, at 38 years old, holding a significant experience edge over the younger player. Although they have faced each other before, Monfils’ strong hard-court record this season puts him at an advantage. Additionally, Jenson Brooksby, who has faced setbacks yet boasts a higher peak ranking than Alexandre Muller, may offer an intriguing betting opportunity despite their current rankings.
Overall, the Cincinnati Open promises exciting matches and potential surprises as first-round play commences. Fans and bettors alike will be keenly watching how the matchups unfold on the hard courts.