A couple of blockbuster third-round matchups headline the Cincinnati schedule on Tuesday, and they are American heavy. Montreal runner-up Brandon Nakashima meets Daniil Medvedev; Learner Tien is going up against Frances Tiafoe.
(27) Brandon Nakashima vs. (4) Daniil Medvedev
Medvedev and Nakashima will be going head-to-head for the fourth time in their careers when they clash in round three of the Cincinnati Open on Tuesday. All three of their previous encounters have gone Medvedev’s way, and he is 6-1 in total sets against Nakashima (4-0 on hard courts). They have faced each other once this season, when the Russian cruised 6-2, 7-6(1) in the Brisbane final.
The good news for Nakashima is that he heads into this matchup in outstanding form. With a semifinal showing in Washington, D.C. and a runner-up performance in Montreal, the 22nd-ranked American is 9-2 on the current summer hard-court swing. On the heels of little rest, Nakashima got right back in action to beat Aleksandar Kovacevic 6-2, 7-5 on Sunday. Well rested following an immediate loss north of the border to Botic van de Zandschulp, Medvedev got past Marco Trungelliti 6-4, 7-5 in his Cincinnati opener. Given the world No. 7’s history of H2H success and Nakashima’s probable fatigue, this one should go Medvedev’s way.
Pick: Medvedev in 3
(16) Learner Tien vs. (17) Frances Tiafoe
Only a week ago, Tiafoe underwent a procedure on his right hand to remove a cyst. It’s safe to say that it was successful. Following a retirement in the Montreal third round against Arthur Rinderknech, the 23rd-ranked American recovered swiftly to defeat Lorenzo Sonego 6-3, 6-4 on Sunday night in Cincinnati.
Up next for Tiafoe on Tuesday is a third showdown against Tien. The two Americans split their two previous meetings; Tiafoe cruised 6-2, 7-5, 6-1 at the 2023 U.S. before a much different version of Tien got the job done 7-6(5), 3-6, 7-5 earlier this year in Delray Beach. The world No. 12 has continued to play great tennis, most recently advancing to the Montreal semis and then disposing of Sebastian Baez 6-3, 7-6(4) on Sunday. Unfortunately for Tien, he has played a ton of tennis and — despite posting good results — dealt with a left-arm issue throughout his run in Montreal. If Tiafoe plays even close to his level that was on display against Sonego, he should capitalize on this opportunity.
Pick Tiafoe in 3