Wednesday is the busiest day in Cincinnati, with all round of 16 competitors taking the court — including a blockbuster battle between Rafael Jodar and Flavio Cobolli. Jakub Mensik is also in action against Thiago Agustin Tirante.
(12) Rafael Jodar vs. (7) Flavio Cobolli
A year ago Rafael Jodar was ranked outside the top 500. He is now world No. 11, seventh in the race to Turin, and the only teenager other than Carlos Alcaraz and Ben Shelton to reach the Cincinnati Open round of 16 since 2020. It was no walk in the park for the Spaniard. He clawed his way back from a 5-1 third-set deficit against Denis Shapovalov in the second round (the match of the tournament so far, certainly from a drama perspective). Jodar then dismissed Alejandro Tabilo 6-2, 6-1 in 75 minutes.
Flavio Cobolli’s week has been all grind: three sets to get past Miomir Kecmanovic and then three more against Alexander Blockx, who served for the match at 5-3 in the decider before Cobolli won the last four games. The Italian peaked at No. 8 in the world on August 3 and made the Roland Garros final. His only title of the year has come on the hard courts of Acapulco, but he is generally better on clay. Jodar and Cobolli have never gone head-to-head. The Italian is playing the best tennis of his career, but his playing style isn’t the sort that matches up well with Jodar’s on a hard court. I’m giving Cobolli a set — but no more.
Cheryl pick: Jodar in 3
Ricky pick: Jodar in 2
(14) Jakub Mensik vs. Thiago Agustin Tirante
Thiago Agustin Tirante has played five tiebreakers in three matches this fortnight and has won four of them. He edged out Jan Choinski 7-6(9), 6-7(7), 7-6(4), became the fourth Argentine ever to beat Novak Djokovic (and the first since Juan Martin Del Potro at the 2016 Olympics), and then handled Martin Landaluce in two more ‘breakers. The 25-year-old started the season outside the top 100. He is now a career-high No. 50 and is 4-1 against top-10 opponents. Jakub Mensik’s week has been quieter, which is how he likes it. He outlasted Mattia Bellucci in three sets with 16 aces before taking care of Rinky Hijikata 6-3, 6-4. Mensik is 20-8 on hard courts this season with an Auckland title and a Roland Garros semifinal behind him.
This is their first meeting. Mensik’s serve will be the best shot on the court; Tirante will need to hope that he misses some at the important moments of the match. I’m expecting this one to go the distance, but I can’t pick against the Czech on a hard court.
Cheryl pick: Mensik in 3
Ricky pick: Mensik in 2
WWW?
Jodar in 2; Mensik in 3….but I LOVE that Tirante forehand!!!!
Jodar should have closed it in 2. man
yep