The Cincinnati Open is a tennis tournament that has been a launchpad for many a player's career. This year, the event is set to be even more exciting with a star-studded lineup. Here are five things to watch out for on Thursday:
Gael Monfils' Final Appearance: The French veteran is set to retire at the end of the season, making this his 14th and final appearance in Mason. Personally, I think this is a bittersweet moment for Monfils, as he will be leaving the sport he loves, but he will also be leaving with a legacy of memorable performances. What makes this particularly fascinating is the contrast between his current form and his past achievements. In 2011, he reached the Cincinnati quarter-finals, and during his last visit in 2024, he earned a memorable three-set victory against Carlos Alcaraz. This raises a deeper question: will his final appearance be a fitting send-off?
Caty McNally's Home Tournament: The Cincinnati-born McNally is set to face fellow American McCartney Kessler in the evening session. In my opinion, this is a big moment for McNally, as she returns to her home tournament for the sixth time. What many people don't realize is that McNally reached a career-high No. 50 in the PIF WTA Rankings just two months ago. This is a huge achievement for a player who has been on the rise. I think this will be a tough match for both players, and it will be interesting to see how they handle the pressure of playing in front of their home crowd.
Terence Atmane's Electric Style: The French lefty is set to face Marton Fucsovics on Thursday. What makes this particularly fascinating is Atmane's fearless shotmaking and flair for improvisation. Last year, he enjoyed one of his career-best runs in Cincinnati, reaching his first ATP Tour semi-final as a qualifier. This is a huge achievement for a player who has been on the rise. I think Atmane will be looking to rekindle that run with his electric style, and it will be interesting to see how he handles the pressure of playing in a big tournament.
Americans in Action: In addition to McNally and Kessler, there are several other American players to watch throughout the day. Taylor Townsend meets Colombia's Camila Osorio on the newly named Tony Trabert Stadium 3. Ashlyn Krueger faces last year's Roland Garros semi-finalist Lois Boisson. Wild card Caroline Dolehide battles Diane Parry. On Grandstand, Katie Volynets plays Katie Boulter to open the evening session, followed by Zachary Svajda's match against Mattia Bellucci. This is a big moment for American tennis, and it will be interesting to see how these players handle the pressure of playing in front of their home crowd.
ATP Masters 1000 Champions Draper and Norrie: Former World No. 4 Jack Draper opens his campaign on P&G Stadium Court against 20-year-old Spaniard Martin Landaluce. Draper, who won the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells last year, is seeking his ninth match win in an injury-plagued season. Draper's countryman Cameron Norrie lifted the Indian Wells trophy in 2021 for his first ATP Masters 1000 crown. Fresh off a fourth-round run in Montreal, the lefty faces Croatian Dino Prizmic, with the winner to meet top seed Alexander Zverev in the second round. This is a big moment for both players, and it will be interesting to see how they handle the pressure of playing in a big tournament.
In conclusion, the Cincinnati Open is set to be an exciting event with a star-studded lineup. These five things to watch out for on Thursday are just a few of the many highlights of the tournament. I think this will be a big moment for many of these players, and it will be interesting to see how they handle the pressure of playing in front of a large crowd. From my perspective, this is a tournament that tennis fans should not miss.
