It has been a dream week in Cincinnati for Andrey Rublev and Yoshihito Nishioka, who will be part of the quarterfinal lineup on Friday. Rublev hopes to pull off another upset at Daniil Medvedev’s expense, while Nishioka is going up against David Goffin.
(9) Daniil Medvedev vs. (Q) Andrey Rublev
It will be an all-Russian affair when Medvedev and Rublev go head-to-head for the second time in their careers in the Western & Southern Open quarterfinals on Thursday. Medvedev’s presence is no surprise, but Rublev being a quarterfinalist at a Masters 1000 event–in Roger Federer’s section of the draw, no less–is completely unexpected. That is not to say that the world No. 70 has been hopeless this summer; far from it. Now recovered from various injuries, Rublev finished runner-up at the 500-point event in Hamburg. He qualified this past weekend in Cincinnati, avenged his Hamburg final loss to Nikoloz Basilashvili, upset Stan Wawrinka, and then stunned Federer 6-3, 6-4 on Thursday afternoon.
Medvedev, who won their only previous encounter 6-3, 6-2 and the 2016 Budapest Challenger, has been on fire just about from start to finish in 2019. The 23-year-old’s outstanding 41-16 record has him up to a career-high ranking of No. 8 in the world. His hard-court summer already includes runner-up finishes in Washington, D.C. and Montreal followed by Cincinnati beatdowns of Kyle Edmund, Benoit Paire, and Jan-Lennard Struff. Medvedev’s 6-2, 6-1 whitewash of Struff in one hour and five minutes should refuel his gas tank and help him beat an opponent making a quick turnaround on the heels of an emotional result.
Pick: Medvedev in 2
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Yoshihito Nishioka vs. (16) David Goffin
Nishioka’s Jordan Thompson-Kei Nishikori-Alex de Minaur run is not quite as impressive as Rublev’s, but it is still a dream week for the Japanese lefty. Like Rublev, Nishioka had to qualify just to get into the main draw–which he did successfully at the expense of John Millman and Joao Sousa. The world No. 77 is now an even 17-17 at the ATP level in 2019.
Up next for Nishioka on Friday is Goffin, whom he just outlasted 6-7(5), 7-2, 7-6(5) in the Washington, D.C. second round. Goffin has bounced back by beating Taylor Fritz, Guido Pella, and Adrian Mannarino, surrendering just one set to Fritz in the process. The 19th-ranked Belgian lost to Pella in straight sets last week in Montreal only to defeat the Argentine 6-1, 7-5 in Cincinnati–he he has almost always played well. He should be able to get revenge on Nishioka, too.
Pick: Goffin in 3
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Rublev in three, Goffin in two
I like Medvedev, he can beat just about anyone comfortably other than the top 3 and maybe Bautista_Agut but Goffin’s not a done deal, that’s for sure.
I wouldnt be multi-ing those 2 together.
Don’t like Bautista_Agut
Don’t like Goffin
Balance: $8,500
Medvedev
Djokovic 2-0
$1000 @ 1.80
Even Medevdev is a risky play because of the match up. Rublev could out-hit him from the back of the court.
I think Goffin has been too inconsistent, and Nishioka might have a good chance there. The Japanese in 3.
Great Russian clash, a well rested Medvedev shall prevail against Rublev. Medvedev in 2.
Spot on.
And just like that every opponent who may have had a remote chance of challenging the Djoker, has been eliminated. And we also won’t see Ricky’s pick Diego Schwartzmann in the final😉 Not that it matters greatly as far as the final result is concerned…
Rublev if he plays at an impeccable high level as he did in the last 3 matches.
Rublev can upset Medvedev with the above kind of play as Rublev has the fresher leg of the 2. Rublev has played just 5 matches in the last 15 days but Medvedev has played 13 matches in the last 15 days. if this match becomes a grinding match going into the 3rd set, Rublev with the fresher legs can win this match.
Rublev is also injury free after a long time…making him very dangerous to any player…just like Federer found out the hard way!
Like the over as Medvededv will fight and win many games to push the over, so will Rublev…both having powerful serve & volleys.
But I like Medvedev to win(55%) as he he is the higher ranked player and the more experienced hard court player compared to Rublev(45%).
What is this with this Medvedev?!!! Rafa thrashed him on Sunday, lol!!! Y everyone thinks he’s so good?!!
Rafa had a hellofan an easier path to the final
Rafa is just a bad match up for Medvedev, in fact for most. Even if they switch their draw at Montreal, Rafa would still come through it victorious beating Thiem, Khachanov and then Medvedev. Not everyone can cope with Rafa’s intensity esp in Masters or Slam finals.
‘Not everyone’ lol .
Why lol? Not everyone, don’t you think? Rafa is what? 10-4 vs Fed and 9-6 vs Djoko in slams, can anyone else boast about that?
Everyone that matters ,ie his ‘only’ rivals. There’s more to life than tennis.
Aren’t we talking about tennis here?? And yeah, his main rivals, ask them, how hard it is facing Rafa across the net, esp in major events.
Well Rafa’s not in this,Djoko is so let’s see .
Big Al, my point is that these young players have a lot to learn so they need to do it fast while the big 3 are still around bcos what i’ve seen from them so far is not inspiring. I mean after the big 3 retire, what is tennis going to mean? On the other thread you said Rafa coped better in the wind than Medvedev, I mean cmon! I can’t wait to c how he plays against Novak.
On a good day the Big 3 can still beat anyone except each other. They have impressively complete games. The young guys don’t, which is normal. On the other hand the Big 3 are more likely to have off days than in their prime and none of them are playing a full schedule any more.
The ATP may look more like the WTA once the big guns call it quits, with rankings changing fast and an anyone can win anything atmosphere. Or a couple of the young’uns may step up and become consistent winners, and some rivalries may develop. Impossible to say at this point.
When will the Big 3 retire? Barring serious injury I expect all three to hang in through the Tokyo Olympics next year. Fed and Djokovic would LOVE to get a gold in singles. Rafa LOVES Olympics. My guess is that Rafa and Fed will hang in as long as they’re still enjoying themselves on tour. Djokovic desperately wants to pass Roger’s slam count so I doubt he’ll retire until he does that or injuries knock him out.
I don’t think Murray will be a serious contender v the Big Three again, but he may be able to put a few spokes in the next gen wheels.
I just meant why compare Nadal to Med here,Djoko is a different matchup.You’re right the big three are way ahead of the young players .
And, Medvedev manages the unlikely and shows he has the ability to change tactics and turn the match around, just like the big three.Well done .