ATP Masters in Cincinnati, 2nd round, Wednesday, 16.08.2023
His talent has always been undisputed, but now he actually seems to be learning how to handle it consistently as well! At the Cincinnati Masters, one man in particular will be in the spotlight – and that’s the one who arrives as the reigning champion from Toronto.
He starts the tournament on Wednesday after a walk-through, and although his opponent is not THAT bad, he is incredibly clearly in the lead at Oddset.
In my Sinner Lajovic tip, I therefore reveal why I can definitely imagine him cracking 19.5 games!
Is someone getting ready to play his first Grand Slam final? Jannik Sinner recently made it to the top four on the big stage at Wimbledon for the first time in his career, and this should not remain an exception.
The South Tyrolean travelled to the Canadian Masters, where he was considered one of the favourites. But somehow no one really expected him to make it to the big time, because Sinner rarely shows his full power.
Matteo Berrettini, Gael Monfils, Tommy Paul and Alex de Minaur: With only one set to spare (against Monfils), the 21-year-old stormed up to the highest step of the podium!
It was his first triumph at an ATP 1000 tournament, he had previously suffered two bitter defeats in the final in this category. Now ranked No. 6 in the world, he’s never been better placed.
His goals remain high, after all, he still has most of his career ahead of him. On 16 August, Sinner celebrates his 22nd birthday, he could give himself the best present and enter the round of 16 in Cincinnati.
Exactly this round represents his best result so far, in 2022 he was eliminated in that round of 16 against Felix Auger-Aliassime. This time, however, the expectations are more concrete, of course the Italian wants to reach the top again.
The world No. 1, Carlos Alcaraz, also congratulated Sinner after his title win in Toronto, and the entire tennis elite knows how long he has been working towards this. Could there really be any problems for the opener in Cincinnati?
Our betting providers can’t imagine that at all, the odds on Wednesday range between a 1.10 and a 7.00. Even an outright win doesn’t work because of that, only comes to a value of 1.40.
Dusan Lajovic must therefore go into the match with the certainty that almost nothing is expected of him. The world number 66 already has a few matches behind him in Cincinnati, because he already had to start in the qualifying.
There he eliminated Rinky Hijikata and Jason Kubler without losing a set. In the first round, he faced Francisco Cerundolo, which he won surprisingly well 6-3, 6-4.
81% of his first serves were successful over the net, and the rate of 78% of points won on the first service was also strong. However, Lajovic will not be able to bring any young successes with him to Cincinnati.
In his three tournaments after Wimbledon he won only one match, not exactly the best advertisement. It didn’t help him that two of the three defeats came with incredibly close results.
Since his triumph at the end of April at the Belgrade tournament – where he even taught Novak Djokovic a lesson – he has been out of form, so it is high time that he presents a positive result again.
But is Cincinnati the right place for this? Lajovic has NEVER been able to get past the hurdle of the opener here! Now that the draw has given him the Toronto champion of all people, it is very possible that this black streak will now continue.
My Sinner Lajovic Tip
Is Jannik Sinner really getting going now? After his first ever triumph at a major Masters, the South Tyrolean has tasted blood and wants to go really far in Cincinnati. An exit in round 2 on his birthday? That’s not in the cards at all!
Dusan Lajovic may have already played three strong matches in Cincinnati, but he is not quite on Sinner’s level in terms of quality. But: Since the favourite will certainly arrive a bit exhausted and Lajovic is already in rhythm, I recommend the following bet:
We will see more than 19,5 games!
