Cincinnati SF previews and predictions: Sinner vs Zverev, Rune vs. Tiafoe

Frances Tiafoe

We have arrived at semifinal Sunday in Cincinnati, where a blockbuster matchup pits Jannik Sinner against Alexander Zverev. Frances Tiafoe is the only unseeded player remaining and he will face Holger Rune.

(1) Jannik Sinner vs. (3) Alexander Zverev

Sinner and Zverev will be squaring off for the sixth time in their careers when they clash in the semifinals of the Western & Southern Open on Sunday afternoon. Zverev is dominating the head-to-head series 4-1, having won four in a row at Sinner’s expense since losing their first-ever encounter at Roland Garros in 2020. They most recently faced each other at the 2023 U.S. Open, where the German survived a memorable 6-4, 3-6, 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 marathon to secure a spot in the quarterfinals.


Although he is the underdog on paper, Zverev has a great chance to make it 3-0 lifetime against Sinner on outdoor hard courts. The world No. 4 has been in stellar form all season long and will climb to a career-high ranking of No. 2 if he lifts the Cincinnati trophy. Zverev is coming off a tough three-setter against Ben Shelton, but Sinner also had to battle in the quarterfinals on Saturday–beating Andrey Rublev 4-6, 7-5, 6-4. The top-ranked Italian is not necessarily “injured,” but he has not looked 100 percent since the start of the summer because of a hip problem. Zverev is confident in this matchup and should have the edge physically if it turns into a long match.

Pick: Zverev in 3

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Frances Tiafoe vs. (15) Holger Rune

A big result on a big stage heading into the biggest tournament of his year may be just what the doctor ordered for Tiafoe. The 26-year-old American has not been good in 2024 and with quarterfinal points to defend at the U.S. Open he faces another rankings fall from his current standing of No. 27. However, Tiafoe appears to be getting back on track in Cincinnati with victories over Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Lorenzo Musetti, Jiri Lehecka, and Hubert Hurkacz–the latter via second-set retirement on Friday night.

Up next for Tiafoe is a first-ever showdown against Rune. The 21-year-old Dane is no stranger to success at the Masters 1000 level, having lifted the Paris trophy in 2022 before finishing runner-up in both Monte-Carlo and Rome last spring. Rune is one win away from another Masters final following defeats of Matteo Berrettini, Nuno Borges, Gael Monfils, and Jack Draper. Not including retirements and the Laver Cup, Tiafoe has defeated only one player ranked as high as Rune (No. 16) since the 2023 Indian Wells Masters. That does not bode well for the underdog’s chances against an opponent who has looked great this week.

Pick: Rune in 2

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