Roger Federer and Alexander Zverev are on a collision course for the Western & Southern Open semifinals after facing each other in the Rogers Cup title match on Sunday.
The two finalists in Montreal are now making their way to Cincinnati for a second consecutive Masters 1000 tournament and they find themselves in the same half of the draw. Among those standing in their way of a rematch are Milos Raonic, John Isner, Grigor Dimitrov, and Juan Martin Del Potro.
Federer is looking at a relatively tough path through the bracket–certainly compared to what was on his menu at Wimbledon and in Montreal. The 36-year-old Swiss could open with Karen Khachanov before possible meetings with Jack Sock and Del Potro. Zverev could run into a pair of huge servers–Isner and Raonic–prior to the semis.
“I’m just really happy for him, to see that he’s taking everything not just to the next level, but the two next levels–winning two Masters 1000s,” Federer said of Zverev. “It’s extremely difficult to win. He’s won two this year. It’s a wonderful achievement for him. I wish him the best for the coming months and hope he can finish the season very strong because there [are] opportunities now.”
Zverev and others have big opportunities with a whole host of top players injured. Novak Djokovic and Stan Wawrinka are out for the year, while world No. 1 Andy Murray and Wimbledon runner-up Marin Cilic are currently on the shelf. Murray’s absence leaves Nadal as the top seed in Cincinnati, where he is looking to get back on track following a third-round loss to Denis Shapovalov in Montreal. Nadal awaits either Richard Gasquet or John-Patrick Smith before a likely rematch with Gilles Muller, who took down the Spaniard in a five-set thriller at the All-England Club. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Nick Kyrgios are also part of a tough top quarter in Cincinnati.
Kei Nishikori was a late withdrawal this week, leaving Dominic Thiem as the only top-four seed in the second quarter of the draw. He could be challenged by Montreal semifinalist Robin Haase and Los Cabos champion Sam Querrey.
Quarterfinal picks: Rafael Nadal over Kevin Anderson, Sam Querrey over David Ferrer, John Isner over Milos Raonic, and Roger Federer over Juan Martin Del Potro
Semifinals: Nadal over Querrey and Federer over Isner
Final: Federer over Nadal
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Now that Rafa doesn’t need to worry about battling Fed for number 1 in Cinci, maybe he will be able to play with less of a burden this week? Although I guess it could potentially be the opposite, where he feels pressure to win it because of how open the field is? I tend to think it will be the former, where he plays with no burden… We shall see!
That was my idea, Kevin: Rafa playing with no pressure and he’s not in any way injured is he? He likes to get in match play. A Cincinnati win would be oh so good for his confidence pre-USO.
It would be just what the doctor ordered! Even if he didn’t have to face any of the other US Open contenders, just knowing that he can still get a title on hard court would do wonders for his confidence, I think.
I was just doing some calculations. Rafa could really boost his chances of ending season #1 by winning Cinci. If Rafa won Cinci, he would have the #1 ranking locked down for after US Open by making the final, even if Fed won it! That would put pressure on Fed to run the field at all the post-US Open tournaments. And if Rafa managed to win Cinci AND US Open, that could very well seal the deal for him. In terms of Fed, I really think he could have possibly screwed his chances of ending #1 by making that stupid decision to play Montreal. It all remains to be seen how he does at US Open, and how Rafa does as well. It should be interesting!
I think he may have just wanted to make a little slice of history by winning his first Montreal at 36. I agree he should’ve just played Cincy though.
I really think that if Rafa plays like the way he played this clay court season, i.e. more offensive and dictating points, he should do well this NA HC season, just like in 2013. He wasn’t playing that way in 2015/2016 hence he was beaten in the early rounds.
Rafa had won at Cincy in 2013, reached SFs or QFs on several occasions; but we are here worrying about him losing in R2 and R3 (all because of his 2015/2016 poor results this part of the season).
I hope Rafa doesn’t hold back anything and just goes all out to win here and at the USO. He was way too defensive vs Shapo, if he’s not able to control the ball, then why not be more aggressive and stepped in to take the ball earlier; or simply stayed AT the baseline, hit harder and blast for winners, like the two young guys were doing in all their matches? Defense won’t pay on these quicker HCs, offense is the way to go and the courts here rewards more offensive play.
Looks like Rafa will have a chance to reverse that Muller defeat at Wimby at Cincy, they are on a collision course at Cincy.
Vamos Rafa! Right the ship…….
I hope so….. Rafa please shows us that you can do it!
Rafa should account for Reeshad pretty comfortably and Muller should do the same for Youzhny I think. Also Muller will be aware of the draw and will be pumped up to meet Rafa so soon after Wimby, beat him so that Wimby is not seen as an aberration. So, I expect Muller to beat Youzhny.
Rafa, on the other hand, will not want to give Muller any “wings” so close to USOPEN…….
We know he he can, he just needs to do it! 🙂 He certainly has a great opportunity to gain confidence going into the Open, and the title is quite winnable for him, imo. I know that Raonic hadn’t been in great form, but having him now out of the tournament can only help Rafa’s cause.
Semifinals: Nadal d. Thiem; Isner d. Dimitrov
Final: Nadal d. Isner
Solid prediction, I’d say!
Hope Rafa finds his form to go deep in Cincy which would help his confidence heading to USO! I personally don’t care about Rafa winning Cincy, all I really care about is Rafa peaking for USO and winning the title in NY!
Vamos Champ!
Yet another player has pulled out.
W&S Open 2 hours ago: ¤¤ Milos Raonic has withdrawn from the CincyTennis: “My wrist injury has not healed. I always play well in Cincinnati & will miss the great fans “¤¤
https://twitter.com/CincyTennis/status/897503013551472644/photo/1
Another withdrawal!! Wow!! I’m actually really happy about this one because Christian Harrison gets a shot at a win at this level. Maybe he will take advantage like Ramanathan did? That would be awesome. Also I would now say my prediction is Isner over Bautista Agut in the quarters now.
oops!
Oops is right!!