Quarter-Finals Day is here at the 2023 Cincinnati Open (Western & Southern Open) with even the first semi-final taking place on a packed Friday night as the schedule has now been confirmed.

As ever, TennisUpToDate will preview proceedings with Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka still among those involved in Mason, Ohio from ATP and WTA Draws.

Iga Swiatek said during this tournament that she isn't a fan of playing on Centre Court due to it ruining her sleep schedule despite being World No.1. But she will get her wish of sorts just without not playing Centre Court.

She opens up on Friday evening so shouldn't be too affected. Facing Marketa Vondrousova, the Wimbledon Champion. It sees number one v number 10, albeit with only one meeting ever.

That was three years ago at Roland Garros, the year after Vondrousova made the final so both have moved on since then.

Following that is a player who always excels in ATP 1000 and a fellow Pole as Hubert Hurkacz takes on the surprise package, Alexei Popyrin. The latter was a beneficiary of all of the withdrawals including Nicolas Jarry and has come from being a lucky loser to winning through to the Quarter-Finals.

Popyrin's compatriot, Max Purcell has also been a surprise package and will hope to topple the World Number One in Carlos Alcaraz who had a wobble against Tommy Paul. Albeit a player who he has struggled against in recent times so less of a gauge.

Purcell though has toppled Stan Wawrinka and Casper Ruud back to back and even defeated Popyrin in qualifying. Funny how it all comes full circle with both through.

Then it is the turn of two players looking for different forms of redemption with Ons Jabeur facing Aryna Sabalenka. Jabeur of course lost in the final at Wimbledon and through injury has only rejoined proceedings in Cincinnati, while Sabalenka has constantly chased the World No.1 spot to no avail this season.

Albeit not the 19-0 he had against Monfils, Novak Djokovic heads into his tie with Taylor Fritz with a supreme winning record with a 6-0 stretching all the way back to 2019. But while that may come into play, Fritz has been almost unbeatable in recent months and so will aim to bring some of that form to finally beat the 23-time Grand Slam champion.

Then it is the turn of Roland Garros finalist, Karolina Muchova. She faces her compatriot Marie Bouzkova. It is 1-1 between the pair but they haven't played since 2019. Albeit with Vondrousova's rise to Grand Slam stardom, it is perhaps this Czech duo alongside Petra Kvitova who have been more impressive in terms of consistency this year with of course Muchova reaching the final in Paris. They now battle for a semi-final spot.

Jasmine Paolini was the walkover of the previous round with Elena Rybakina's injury taking its toll and now she gets a big chance albeit facing Coco Gauff who has been in some superb form in recent months so likely an upward battle. Before Alexander Zverev faces Adrian Mannarino with both recent champions in Hamburg and Newport and back thriving again.

The first finalist on the WTA side will then be pencilled in with the first semi-final set to conclude the session.