De Minaur and Zverev Gear Up for Cincinnati Showdown

De Minaur and Zverev Gear Up for Cincinnati Showdown

Alex de Minaur and Alexander Zverev are set to commence their respective campaigns at the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati on Sunday, with both players entering the second round in promising form. De Minaur will face off against American Reilly Opelka, while Zverev takes on younger compatriot Nishesh Basavareddy.

De Minaur, the sixth seed, holds a strong track record against Opelka, having won all five previous matchups, including four on hard courts and one during the 2019 Cincinnati Open, where he triumphed with a score of 7-6(3), 6-4. The Australian tennis star has been enjoying a stellar summer, reaching the fourth round at Wimbledon, securing a title in Washington, D.C., and advancing to the quarterfinals in Toronto, where he lost to eventual champion Ben Shelton. In contrast, Opelka faces challenges when advancing past the first round, holding a 2-5 record in subsequent matches during this stretch. Given De Minaur’s consistently strong defense, the expectation is set for him to maintain his winning streak.

Meanwhile, Zverev, currently ranked third, enters the match against Basavareddy with a lower profile than in previous years, yet he has reached the semifinals or better in three of his last four tournaments. Basavareddy has recently found his footing again after a period of struggle, earning a victory over lucky loser Aleksandar Vukic. For Basavareddy to pull off an upset, Zverev would need to play into his opponent’s hands. Nevertheless, with Zverev’s powerful serve and aggressive tactics, he is favored to win comfortably.

Expectations are high for both De Minaur and Zverev as they pursue advancement in Cincinnati ahead of the U.S. Open. Each player looks to build momentum and confidence in their journey toward the later stages of the tournament.

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