Cincinnati R2 previews and predictions: Tsitsipas vs. Shelton, Paul vs. Humbert

Stefanos Tsitsipas will be playing his first match of the week in Cincinnati when he faces rising American Ben Shelton on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Tommy Paul looks to maintain his fine form following a semifinal run in Toronto.

(4) Stefanos Tsitsipas vs. Ben Shelton

Tsitsipas and Shelton will be going head-to-head for the first time in their careers when they clash in round two of Western & Southern Open on Wednesday. Shelton is off to another strong start in Cincinnati, as he knocked off good friend and doubles partner Chris Eubanks 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 on Sunday. Last year at this event the 40th-ranked American defeated Lorenzo Sonego and Casper Ruud before falling to Cameron Norrie.

It was been a mostly disappointing summer for Tsitsipas aside from a recent ATP 250 title in Los Cabos. The fourth-ranked Greek lost early at all three of his Wimbledon warmup tournaments, fell to Eubanks in the fourth round at the All-England Club, and lost his Toronto opener to Gael Monfils. Tsitsipas is vulnerable right now and the fast conditions in Cincinnati are perfect for Shelton. If the underdog plays with the same aggression that he did against Carlos Alcaraz last week in Toronto, an upset is possible.

Pick: Shelton in 3

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Ugo Humbert vs. (14) Tommy Paul

We are one round away from a potential Paul vs. Alcaraz rematch. They just faced each other in the Toronto quarterfinals last Friday night, when the 13th-ranked American pulled off a 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 upset for his second victory over Alcaraz in as many years at that tournament. Paul, who was also a semifinalist at the Australian Open earlier this season, ended up losing to eventual champion Jannik Sinner 6-4, 6-4 in the semis.

Getting right back in gear, the 26-year-old defeated Miomir Kecmanovic 7-5, 7-6(2) on Tuesday and will now face Humbert. Their only previous encounter came five years ago at the Challenger level, with Paul prevailing 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 on the indoor hard courts of Champaign. Humbert has also made his way up the rankings since then (albeit more inconsistently than Paul) and is in fine form this season with 18 wins on the main tour and three Challenger finals (two wins, one runner-up). The 33rd-ranked Frenchman did well to beat compatriot Arthur Fils 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 on Tuesday, but Paul presents an even tougher test and these lively conditions that make it difficult to keep the ball in the court are probably tougher to manage for Humbert.

Pick: Paul in 3

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