In the ATP Masters 1000 Cincinnati tournament, several intriguing matchups are set for the 1/32-finals, showcasing both rising talents and seasoned players.
In the first match, Karen Khachanov will face Valentin Royer, marking their first encounter. Khachanov is coming off a strong performance in Toronto, where he reached the final before falling to Ben Shelton in a close three-set match. He has won four of his last five matches and is eager to break into the top 10 rankings. Conversely, Royer, despite qualifying for the main draw and showing resilience by coming back to win against Ofner after dropping the first set, is still looking to prove himself on the bigger stage, having found more success primarily in the Challenger Tour. Bookmakers favor Khachanov to win, and with his current form, there is a strong expectation for him to cover the games handicap, with value bets placed on Karen Khachanov +3.5 games handicap.
Another exciting matchup will feature Ben Shelton, who has been in stellar form with six consecutive wins, including a Masters 1000 title triumph in Toronto. He will take on Ugo Carabelli. The Argentine has managed to win three of his last five matches but struggled with an injury that forced him to retire in his previous outing in Toronto. Shelton is heavily favored to continue his winning streak given Carabelli’s recent performances and lack of success on hard courts. A recommended value bet is Shelton covering a -4.5 games handicap, as he looks to dominate this encounter.
Lastly, American Nishesh Basavareddy is positioned to face Alexander Zverev, who is also regarded as a favorite in this match despite his recent semifinal loss to Khachanov in Toronto. Basavareddy’s recent success includes reaching the quarterfinals of a Challenger tournament and a convincing first-round win in Cincinnati. If he serves effectively, he could pose a challenge to Zverev, making a +4.5 games handicap bet on Basavareddy a potentially fruitful wager.
This week in Cincinnati promises thrilling matches that could impact rankings and set the stage for the upcoming events. Fans can look forward to these contests, where emerging talents and established stars alike will clash as they pursue advancement in one of tennis’s marquee tournaments.