Former Cincinnati runner-up John Isner will begin another week at this Masters 1000 event when he takes the court against Fabio Fognini on Tuesday. Marcos Baghdatis and Vasek Pospisil are also aiming for a place in the last 32.
Fabio Fognini vs. John Isner
Isner and Fognini will be going head-to-head for the second time in their careers when they clash in round one of the Western & Southern Open on Tuesday. Their only previous meeting came four years ago on the indoor hard courts of Valencia, where Isner got the job done 6-3, 6-7(4), 7-5. The 6’10” American has slumped just a little bit to No. 22 in the world at the moment, but this is favorite time of year so a turnaround may be in store. In fact, it may already be in progress; Isner reached the quarterfinals in Washington, D.C. before finishing runner-up in Atlanta.
Fognini participated in the Olympics and almost altered the course of the men’s singles tournament, but it was not to be. The 38th-ranked Italian led eventual gold medalist Andy Murray 3-0 in the final set of their third-round struggle, but the second-seeded Scot recovered for a 6-1, 2-6, 6-3 victory. Although Fognini is a mere 18-15 for the season, he is 7-2 in his last nine matches with a title on the red clay of Umag. Conditions in Cincinnati, however, suit Isner perfectly and the 2013 runner-up should be able to blow Fognini off the court.
Pick: Isner in 2
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Marcos Baghdatis vs. Vasek Pospisil
Pospisil is a disastrous 6-20 this year and has plunged out of the top 100 (currently 109th in the world). Not surprisingly, the Canadian recently split from coach Frederic Fontang. But that change did not help matters at the Olympics, and neither did a bad first-round draw against a red-hot Gael Monfils–who hammered Pospisil 6-1, 6-3. Not including retirements, the 2014 Wimbledon doubles champion (with Jack Sock) is 0-5 in his last five matches dating back to the Nottingham third round.
Up first for Pospisil on Tuesday is a fourth career showdown against Baghdatis, who leads the head-to-head series 2-1 (2-0 on outdoor hard courts). They most recently faced each other earlier this season in Dubai, where the Cypriot prevailed 6-4, 6-2. Baghdatis has won at least two matches in three of his last four tournaments, so he should not have too much trouble with an opponent who is extremely short on confidence.
Pick: Baghdatis in 2
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Isner in two and baghdatis in three
Isner in 3… Fognini can take a set though. Marcos in 2
Isner in 2 sets.
Baggy in 2 sets.