Cincinnati Open 2024 Round 2 Recap

The second round in Cincinnati was a rain-affected affair. Carlos Alcaraz and Gael Monfils were delayed until tomorrow. The Spaniard was up a set but down 1-3 in the second set tiebreak.

Casper Ruud and Felix Auger Aliassime were also postponed without the match starting. Of the completed matches, it was a poor day for the former champions as Daniil Medvedev and Grigor Dimitrov both crashed out.

Other seeds to fall were Lorenzo Musetti, who lost to Tiafoe, and Stefanos Tsitsipas, who couldn’t get the job done against Jack Draper after he failed to serve out the match after breaking at 4-4 in the third set.

Jannik Sinner rebounded after his Montreal loss with a solid performance against Alex Michelsen, while Sascha Zverev chalked up his 50th match win of the year.

You can see the full results below.

Cincinnati Open Round of 32 Results

Sinner Mitigates Michelsen

Jannik Sinner rebounded from his quarter-final loss in Montreal with a determined win at the Cincinnati Open on Wednesday. Facing American qualifier Alex Michelsen on centre court, the Italian saved all eight break points he faced, securing a 6-4, 7-5 victory.

Sinner, who appeared to have a reoccurrence of his hip problem in Montreal, fended off three break points in the first set and five in the second. He broke Michelsen’s serve early in the first set and clinched the match by breaking again in the final game, finishing with a strong service hold.

While Michelsen asked plenty of questions, Sinners’ 25-2 record on hardcourts this season firmly puts him at the top of the pack, and his game is too strong for the young Michelsen.

It was a tough match. He played already some matches but for me it was the first match here, so I tried to feel the conditions a but more. I’m very happy to be in the next round. For me this is a place where I used to struggle a lot in the past years, so let’s see what I can do this time. I’m trying to stay in a positive mindset and positive moment, and I think that today also brought me the win.For sure, I am not 100 per cent yet [physically], but I’m trying to get used to this kind of conditions. Sinner on his win.

Lehecka Leaps Past Medvedev

Daniil Medvedev’s ropey run of form continued as Jiri Lehecka pulled off the upset against the 2019 champion, securing a 7-6(2), 6-4 victory.

The Czech has been sidelined for two months with a stress fracture in his back, but he’s back with a bang, firing 17 forehand winners as he came away the worthy winner.

Medvedev, however, looked a shadow of himself. He landed 44% of first serves, hit seven double faults, and was not really the guy we’re used to on hard courts.

It’s amazing to be back, to be honest. It was a long time since I was playing on a big stage, so I enjoyed every moment of it today. To get a win again such a good player, talented player as Daniil surely is, is just a bonus for me. Lehecka on his impressive comeback.

Draper Surives Tsitsipas

After he looked physically exhausted after his win over qualifier Jaume Munar in the first round, with less than a 24-hour turnaround, I wasn’t too optimistic for Draper’s chances against Tsitsipas. However, the Brit emerged victorious in another three-set battle, coming through 3-6, 6-4, 7-5 to secure a spot in the Round of 16.

Tsitsipas appeared to be on the verge of victory when he broke Draper for a 5-4 lead in the final set. However, the Greek star faltered while serving for the match.

He received a time violation at 0/30 to lose his first serve and then double-faulted, giving Draper three break points. The 22-year-old Brit only needed one, executing a slick forehand pass to level the set and shift the momentum in his favour. Draper went on to win the last three games to close out the match.

Since coming from the Olympics I haven’t found my best tennis… but I’ve been trying to find a way and I showed my grit and determination to come through today. Each day I get an opportunity to come out and play again the better I feel. I feel great physically and look forward to keep it going. Stefanos is such a tough competitor, so I had to be there every point and be ready to compete. Losing my service and then coming back in the final three games means the world to me and helps a lot mentally. Draper on his win.

Other Matches of Note

Zverev Beats Khachanov: Alexander Zverev became the first player to reach 50 tour-level wins this season after he defeated Karen Khachanov 6-3, 6-2. While not looking super sharp, he was in control throughout the match, firing 16 winners to Khachanov’s nine.

Hurkacz Negates Nishioka: The Japanese was lucky not to get defaulted after smacking a ball into the advertising boards behind the baseline as he fell to Hurkacz 3-6, 7-6(4), 6-1 who landed 16 aces in the fast conditions to set up a meeting with Flavio Cobolli.

Cincinnati Open 2024 Round of 16 Matches