ATP Cincinnati Day 1 Predictions Including Arthur Rinderknech vs Nuno Borges

While the Montreal Masters isn’t finished yet, the ATP Cincinnati Masters will be starting this Thursday, albeit with only unseeded players taking to the court. While we will have to wait until the weekend to be the world’s top players in action, this first day should still be full of high quality matches with very unpredictable outcomes given how evenly matched most matchups seem to be on paper.

ATP Cincinnati Day 1 Predictions

Corentin Moutet vs Mackenzie McDonald

Head-to-head: McDonald 1-0 Moutet

Moutet had some nice runs recently in Mallorca (final) and Washington (semifinal, with a win over Medvedev), but he is also quite an inconsistent player. McDonald might lack any special weapons but he’s a solid baseliner who rarely gives away matches, forcing opponents to beat him. His consistency might well prove to be too much for Moutet.
Prediction: McDonald in 3

Zizou Bergs vs Jacob Fearnley

Head-to-head: first meeting

The final loss in Den Bosch sent Bergs on a negative spiral that extended to seven consecutive losses last week in Canada. However, Fearnley has been struggling himself, coming into this tournament on the back of three consecutive losses. One of the two players will have to snap their losing streak here and in general Bergs seems to be a bit more solid as a player and should have a small edge here.
Prediction: Bergs in 3

Roberto Carballes Baena vs Hugo Gaston

Head-to-head: Gaston 2-1 Baena

A classic case of a mercurial shotmaker taking on a consistent player with no flashy shots. On a fast hard court, Gaston should be the favorite on paper, but he’s notorious for being extremely inconsistent and Carballes Baena is the kind of player who will punish erratic opponents. Still, if Gaston can play anything close to his best he should pull through here.
Prediction: Gaston in 3

Arthur Rinderknech vs Nuno Borges

Head-to-head: Borges 1-0 Rinderknech

Both players had good Wimbledon performances, even if they both disappointingly lost their Round 3 matchup before they were drawn to face each other in the fourth round. The disappointment of that missed opportunity is clearly still lingering as both players haven’t been playing well at all after Wimbledon; this match will provide an excellent opportunity to start getting things back on track. It should be a close match like their previous matchup in Indian Wells, but Borges is usually the more solid and consistent player of the two and should have a slight edge here.
Prediction: Borges in 3