Roger Federer has dominated the Cincinnati Masters for most of his career. And with the likes of Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic missing from this year’s event, the Swiss master will be looking to add yet another win to his already record haul in Cincy. Can anyone in the field slow the Federer Express down? Read on below for our preview of the 2017 Western & Southern Open.
Federer was denied a sixth title of the season as he was defeated by up-and-coming star Alexander Zverev in the final of the Canadian Open. It just was the Swiss master’s third defeat of the season (35-3) and his second on hard court (23-2). But even with that setback, R-Fed should still be considered the hands down favorite to win in Cincinnati.
The 36-year-old is an astounding seven-time winner in the event, which is a record. He hasn’t gone more than two years without winning the tournament since 2005, and after missing out last year, he looks primed to be back in the mix this week.
Rafael Nadal
With both Murray and Djokovic out of the tournament due to injury, Nadal is the biggest impediment left for Federer to overcome in Cincinnati. The Spaniard is the No. 1 seed instead of the Swiss, although that might not mean much if he meets Federer again in the final. Nadal has lost to his great rival in all three of their meetings this season– all on hard court.
Nadal is also coming off a shock defeat to Denis Shapovalov in the Canadian Open last week, his earliest exit in any tournament this season. Nevertheless, Nadal—the 2013 Cincinnati Masters champion—should still be considered the top competition for Federer.
Sleepers
Alexander Zverev
The 20-year-old’s Zverev is adding to his already incredible season as he brought down the great Roger Federer in straight sets in the final of the Canadian Open. It’s the World No. 8’s second win in two years against the Swiss great, and his fifth title of the season.
It’s a bit of a stretch to expect the youngster to make it a hat-trick of tournament titles, two of which also involving Federer. But if there’s anyone in this field who can bring Federer down aside from Nadal, it’s Zverev.
Sam Querrey
Querrey is having his best season since 2012. The 29-year-old American has a 27-14 record overall, and is 15-7 on hard court. Both of his titles this season have come on the hard surface. He famously ran through the likes of Dominic Thiem, Nick Kyrgios, and Rafael Nadal to win at Acapulco earlier in the year, and won against less stellar competition recently at Los Cabos.
Querrey will be on the same side of the bracket as both Nadal and Thiem in Cincinnati, and with the form he’s shown this season, he’s definitely a strong sleeper contender to make it deep in the tournament.
Long Shot
David Goffin
It’s been a strong year for Goffin. The Belgian is 33-14 on the season and 19-7 on hard court. The World No. 13 still has yet to win a title this season, though, and his last one came all the way back in 2014. His road to a title in Cincinnati will be tough right from the jump, as he faces Nick Kyrgios in the first round.
Goffin is a +160 underdog in that matchup, but if he can overcome the fiery Aussie, don’t discount his ability to make a run deep in the tournament.
Writer’s Prediction
Federer won’t be denied this time around as he claims a record eighth Cincinnati Masters crown.
