An intriguing third-rounder between Gael Monfils and Dominic Thiem is part of a jam-packed Thursday schedule in Cincinnati. Also in action along with Monfils is fellow Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who is going up against Steve Johnson.
(9) Gael Monfils vs. (8) Dominic Thiem
Thiem and Monfils will be going head-to-head for the second time in their careers when they meet in round three of the Western & Southern Open on Thursday. Their only previous encounter came last year on the clay courts of Umag, where Thiem got the job done 1-6, 6-3, 6-1. It has only been full steam ahead ever since for the Austrian, who is 49-15 this season and in serious contention for a World Tour Finals berth. An obvious problem with scheduling has sapped Thiem’s energy of late, but he at least managed to get past John Millman 7-5, 6-1 in his Cincinnati opener.
Pick: Monfils in 2
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(7) Jo-Wilfried Tsonga vs. Steve Johnson
Like Monfils, Johnson came within one round of advancing to the medal rounds in Rio de Janeiro. In fact, both of them suffered quarterfinal losses in third-set tiebreakers–Monfils to Kei Nishikori and Johnson to eventual gold medalist Andy Murray. Still, it was an outstanding Olympics for Johnson. He also won the bronze medal in men’s doubles with fellow American Jack Sock. Thus continues an impressive hot streak for the world No. 23, who captured his first career ATP title in Nottingham, reached round four at Wimbledon, and advanced to the semifinals in Washington, D.C. Johnson is through to the last 16 in Cincinnati following victories over Federico Delbonis (6-4, 7-5) and Julien Benneteau (in a third-set ‘breaker).
Speaking of final-set tiebreakers, that is exactly what had to separate Johnson and Tsonga in their only previous meeting. Right around this time last summer, Johnson outlasted the Frenchman 6-3, 4-6, 7-6(4) to punch a ticket to the Winston-Salem quarters. Tsonga will get another shot after edging American wild card Reilly Opelka 7-6(5), 7-6(3) on Wednesday. The seventh seed is 24-12 for his 2016 campaign, but he is a mere 3-3 in six matches dating back to the Wimbledon quarterfinals against Murray. An edge in current form and confidence goes to Johnson, who should also benefit from home-court advantage.
Pick: Johnson in 3
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Monfils out
R u sure he withdrew cuz I can’t find anything about it anywhere
Oh never mind found something bout it sorry lol
I was picking Thiem regardless. I watched Monfils roll his ankle in that Baghdatis mach and he took a full medical timeout. He kept looking at his coaches and nodding his head as if he couldn’t keep going. Than Bagman took a total tank job on the rest of the match after the timeout
WD is because of back
Good move to get physically ready for U.S. open where he has real shot at a deep run. But still sucks cuz he was on verge of top ten. He lost first round last year though so my prediction is he’s top 10 by end of the Open. Good for thiem to come back and be in QF even if he got a walkover. Woulda picked Monf in two and Stevie in three btw.
I mean lost first round of U.S. open of course
It’s odd that it’s his back. He hurt his ankle without a doubt when he slid into a shot. I’m gonna say it’s a culmination of recent events with minimal rest and tons of travel
Tsonga/Johnson. I don’t know.
Get well soon Gael.
Nice that Thiem is in the QF.
I think it will be Tsonga over Johnson in 3. Although Johnson has been playing well lately, think Tsonga is a better player.
I also think it will Big Jo in 3… Monfils is out, good thing though, two weeks rest before the US Open
Tsonga is the better player if he gets going.