Cincinnati R3 previews and predictions: Federer vs. Mayer, Anderson vs. Goffin

Roger Federer will continue his Cincinnati campaign when he goes up against Leonardo Mayer during third-round action on Thursday. Kevin Anderson and David Goffin are also aiming for a spot in the quarterfinals.

Leonardo Mayer vs. (2) Roger Federer

Federer did not bother playing at last week’s Rogers Cup in Toronto. The 37-year-old Swiss probably figured he would get more than enough match practice for the U.S. Open at the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati. It looks like he will be right. Federer, who is an awesome 43-8 lifetime at this tournament with a whopping seven titles, got things started with a 6-4, 6-4 defeat of Peter Gojowyczk on Tuesday night. The world No. 2 is now 30-4 for the season, which includes titles at the Australian Open, in Rotterdam, and in Stuttgart.

Up next for Federer on Thursday is a third career contest against Mayer, who trails the head-to-head series 2-0. The 31-year-old came excruciatingly close to upsetting Federer at the 2014 Shanghai Masters, but he squandered five match points and eventually succumbed 7-5, 3-6, 7-6(7). Mayer lost in much more emphatic 6-1, 6-2, 6-2 fashion at the 2015 U.S. Open. The world No. 50 earned another shot at this week’s second seed by taking out Michael Mmoh in three sets and Lucas Pouille in straights, improving to 21-18 for his 2018 campaign. There is no reason to think he will pull off something special in this one against a well-rested Federer who obviously feels right at home in Cincinnati.

Pick: Federer in 2 losing 5-7 games

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(6) Kevin Anderson vs. (11) David Goffin

Anderson and Goffin will be going head-to-head for the first time in nine years and for the first time at the ATP level when they finally meet again during third-round action in Cincinnati. They previously collided at the 2009 Todi Challenger, where Goffin prevailed 7-5, 6-3. That, of course, means nothing now; both players are completely different and have established themselves as staples of the top 15. Anderson appears to be headed for the top five (currently No. 6) thanks to his best season on tour, which includes a runner-up performance at Wimbledon. The 6’8” South African improved to 33-12 on the year by beating Jeremy Chardy 7-6(6), 6-2 in his Cincinnati opener on Wednesday.

It has already been a productive week for Goffin, who ousted Toronto runner-up Stefanos Tsitsipas 7-5, 6-3 before getting the best of Benoit Paire 5-7, 6-4, 6-2. The 11th-ranked Belgian needs all the wins he can get right now, as he is struggling through an injury-plagued year with a 23-13 record–modest by his Nitto ATP Finals runner-up standards from 2017. Anderson is simply playing better at the moment and in these relatively fast conditions he should be able to hit Goffin off the court.

Pick: Anderson in 2

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