Top American Taylor Fritz will be in action at the Cincinnati Masters on Tuesday against tricky Czech player Jiri Lehecka. Tuesday will also feature an all-French battle between young gun Arthur Fils and Ugo Humbert.
(9) Taylor Fritz vs. Jiri Lehecka
World No. 9 Taylor Fritz has had a good summer hard-court swing so far, minus a disappointing showing in Toronto last week–when he was dispatched by eventual finalist Alex de Minaur in the third round. The rest of his summer has been a success. He nabbed a title in Atlanta and made the semis in Washington DC. If there’s an upside to his early loss in Toronto, it’s that he has had some time to rest heading into the Western & Southern Open.
Fritz’s first opponent is Jiri Lehecka. The two men have already played twice in 2023 and Fritz won both matches. Lehecka has had a successful season, however, with a robust 26-17. He has no titles, but he made the quarters at the Australian Open.
The American will undoubtedly have the support of the crowd and he is playing good–if not his very best–hard-court tennis. Expect to see Fritz advance.
Cheryl pick: Fritz in 2
Ricky pick: Fritz in 2
Ugo Humbert vs. Arthur Fils
France’s Arthur Fils is one of the most promising young players to break through in 2023. The-19 year-old is ranked 46th in the world, with a tournament win (Lyon) already this season. Fils is generating plenty of interest with his early successes, much as Holger Rune did back in 2022. Tomorrow’s match will be his first on North American hard courts this summer, as Fils elected to stay in Europe on clay after Wimbledon.
Fils’ countryman, Ugo Humbert, had a great start to the summer season. The 33rd-ranked player in the world advanced to the semifinals in Atlanta last month and followed that success with a run to the quarters in Washington. He crashed out of Toronto to Fritz in the second round but managed to make a match of it.
Fils has bigger upside than Humbert, although he’s had some challenges with consistency. This could have the makings of highly entertaining battle. Humbert is playing better than he has in a long while and Fils star is undoubtedly on the rise.
Cheryl pick: Fils in 3
Ricky pick: Fils in 3
WWW?
Fritz in 2; Fils in 3.