Cincinnati R1 previews and predictions: Zverev vs. Dimitrov, Auger-Aliassime vs. Berrettini

The first full day of main-draw action at the Cincinnati Masters features a showdown between Alexander Zverev and Grigor Dimitrov. A jam-packed Monday schedule also pits Felix Auger-Aliassime against Matteo Berrettini.

(16) Alexander Zverev vs. Grigor Dimitrov

Zverev and Dimitrov will be squaring off for the sixth time in their careers when they clash in round one of the Western & Southern Open on Monday. The head-to-head series stands at 4-1 in favor of Zverev, who won their only previous outdoor hard-court encounter and most recently destroyed Dimitrov 6-1, 6-4, 6-3 a couple of months ago at Roland Garros.

Dimitrov is playing well this season, but not to the extent that he can be expected to end his woes in this matchup. Although the 32-year-old Bulgarian advanced to the semis in Washington, D.C., he lost in straight sets to Dan Evans and then withdrew from Toronto citing a back injury. Even if that was just a precautionary move, it doesn’t bode well for his Cincinnati chances. Zverev is the superior player regardless, so count on the German getting the job done without too much trouble.

Pick: Zverev in 2

Matteo Berrettini vs. (12) Felix Auger-Aliassime

Auger-Aliassime got off to a decent enough start to the season with a fourth-round showing at the Australian Open, a semifinal run in Doha, and quarterfinal performances in Rotterdam and Indian Wells. Since then, however, he has been a complete disaster. The 23-year-old Canadian is 2-8 in his last 10 matches and has lost his opening match at four consecutive tournaments–including last week in front of the home crowd in Toronto at the hands of Max Purcell (6-4, 6-4).

Things probably won’t get any easier for Auger-Aliassime, who has to face Berrettini on Monday. This is another 4-1 head-to-head series and it’s in Berrettini’s favor. The 38th-ranked Italian has endured struggles of his own in 2023, but he reached the fourth round at Wimbledon and advanced one round in Toronto before succumbing to eventual champion Jannik Sinner. Berrettini is showing signs of heating up and returning to his form of old, whereas Auger-Aliassime most definitely isn’t.

Pick: Berrettini in 2