Kyrgios, Medvedev, Alcaraz Cincinnati Masters Winners; Nadal Tonight

Things went mostly according to form Tuesday at the Cincinnati Masters on the men’s side.

Former finalist Nick Kyrgios shrugged off some knee niggles and held off Alejandro Davidovich Fokina early on before getting in gear for a 7-5, 6-4.

“He’s a tricky player, he’s so talented, he’s got so many shots at his disposal,” said Kyrgios after his first meeting with the Spaniard. “So I knew that I just had to serve well and then dictate as much as I can. His backhand is incredible. It was a tricky match.”

Kyrgios has now won 15 of his last 17 matches, and now faces a very tough Taylor Fritz.

“You just have to continue to keep pushing and keep trying,” said Kyrgios. “I didn’t feel the best physically, a bit worn out with everything, but I just mentally played the big points well. I got broken back, but I used that energy to push returns in and then force another break. It’s not easy out here, so I’m happy with that.”

Daniil Medvedev opened play in the evening with a 6-4, 7-5 win over Botic van de Zandschulp.

“The second set was not that clean,” said Medvedev. “The first set was great. Everything was working. I had three games where I had break points but managed to break in the first game, which was enough.”

After a tough start to his summer hard courts, Carlos Alcaraz found his footing cruising past Mackenzie McDonald 6-3, 6-2.

“I’m really happy with the performance today,” Alcaraz said. “One of the goals in this tournament is to grow with the pressure… to enjoy as I did at the beginning of the year and last year. To enjoy playing great tennis, to try to be relaxed. I think in this round I did it and I’m really happy with it.”

Marin Cilic, Tommy Paul and Borna Coric were also winners while American college champion Ben Shelton came back from a rain delay to upset Lorenzo Sonego in three.

Coric is back on tonight against Rafael Nadal who will make his hard courts debut. Kyrgios and Fritz collide and Andy Murray returns to face countryman Cameron Norrie.

WEDNESDAY CINCINNATI SCHEDULE
Wednesday, August 17, 2022
Center Court Starts At 11:00 Am
Andy Murray vs 9 Cameron Norrie
Not Before 1:00 PM
Victoria Azarenka 10 vs Emma Raducanu
R32 11 Taylor Fritz vs Nick Kyrgios

Not Before 7:00 Pm
R32 (PR) Borna Coric 2 vs Rafael Nadal
Not Before 8:30 PM
3 Paula Badosa (Q) vs Ajla Tomljanovic

Grand Stand Starts At 11:00 Am
(WC) Catherine McNally 5 vs Ons Jabeur
Tommy Paul vs Denis Shapovalov
Not Before 3:00 PM
1 Iga Swiatek (WC) vs Sloane Stephens

Not Before 7:00 PM
6 Aryna Sabalenka (Q) vs Anna Kalinskaya
Frances Tiafoe (WC) vs Sebastian Korda

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