When one door closes, another opens so the phrase goes as the Cincinnati Open (Western & Southern Open) has its first full day of action on Monday. Schedule confirmed, TennisUpToDate will take you through the US Open pre-cursor.
On the opening day, Ben Shelton faced Christopher Eubanks and Frances Tiafoe took on Tallon Griekspoor. But most of the ties played were qualifying so it finally all begins on Day Two.
Wozniacki-Svitolina, Venus Williams, Muchova, Vondrousova among WTA talking points
In her second tournament back, Caroline Wozniacki will play Elina Svitolina. The former World No.1 didn't look out of place after three years off the court in Montreal losing to Marketa Vondrousova eventually.
But in Svitolina, it is perhaps an even harder task. Dubbed the Summer of Svitolina, the Ukrainian has taken back to tour life expertly reaching the Quarter-Finals in all but two tournaments. Those being Canada and Birmingham.
Irony to this tie too is that both have been full of praise for each other. Both as Mums returning to the tour and now they will face off. The winner could face Daria Kasatkina, while Aryna Sabalenka could then await so not an easy run in but certainly a big match to end Night Two.
Other WTA talking points include Venus Williams who has spent more time chasing luggage than a tennis ball as of late. But the American legend will return home and will face Veronika Kudermetova on Night Two.
Marketa Vondrousova returns again as a Grand Slam champion now heading into the US Open and will face Katerina Siniakova. As Karolina Muchova is prior in a slate of Czech stars with Beatriz Haddad Maia the first opponent in a tasty first round clash for the Roland Garros finalist. Marta Kostyuk, Qinwen Zheng, Bernarda Pera (who could face Jessica Pegula) and Anastasia Potapova are also set for action.
Defending champion Coric, Zverev-Dimitrov and Berrettini-Auger Aliassime headline ATP
Borna Coric who deleted all social media after losing early in Canada has not had the best time since winning Cincinnati last year. But will hope to recapture the memories.
He faces a tough opener and one to watch against Sebastian Korda who will hope to click after injury and his subsequent body transformation under Jez Green.
Other ties include Alexander Zverev - Grigor Dimitrov in a top first round clash, Matteo Berrettini faces Felix Auger-Aliassime. Home hero John Isner could set up a tie with Carlos Alcaraz, he faces Jordan Thompson.
As Stan Wawrinka faces Brandon Nakashima. DC champion Dan Evans faces Lorenzo Musetti also in a stacked first full day.
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