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Cincinnati Masters: Quarter Finals Predictions

By Geoff Nichols

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Cincinnati Masters: Quarter Finals Predictions

We are rapidly entering crunch time at the Cincinnati Masters as Friday signals the start of the quarter finals. The opinion that Masters 1000 events can be as difficult to win as major titles certainly rings true in Cincinnati as players come fresh off Montreal last week and now face winning four matches in four days.

Most of the big names of made in through to this stage, although Rafael Nadal was a high profile third round casualty. Qualifier Alexander Dolgopolov, at the other end of the spectrum, is the surprise package this week, having won five matches in total.

Here is a run through of the quarter final line up, including our predictions for who will make it to the weekend in Cincinnati:

First Quarter

Novak Djokovic SRB [1] v Stan Wawrinka SUI [5]

This is an encounter that always produces drama. Wawrinka seems to cause Djokovic more problems than any other player on tour. Their matches at the Australian Open down the year have all been classics and we are certainly hoping for more of the same.

– Can Novak Djokovic be the Greatest of All Time? – 

Neither men have played their best during the US hard court series so far, with Djokovic looking strangely vulnerable. Wawrinka looked distracted earlier in the week, although this will certainly dominate his thoughts and might inspire him to better tennis.

Djokovic in three

Second Quarter

Alexander Dolgopolov UKR v Thomas Berdych CZE [6]

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Berdych had a stellar start to the year and whilst he hasn’t quite maintained that level of tennis, he is still a formidable opponent. He has become a dab hand at disposing of lower ranked opponents and he now faces the lowest player left in the draw.

The Ukrainian Dolgopolov is so unorthodox that he is one of the harder players to predict on the tour. He has the game to upset Berdych, with the ability to flatten out his groundstrokes. However, he is probably weary from his exploits already this week.

Berdych in two

Third Quarter

Feliciano Lopez ESP v Roger Federer SUI[2]

Having not played since his purple patch at Wimbledon, there were rightly questions as to whether he could carry that form into North America. Federer looks to have done just that, playing incredibly in the early stages of Cincinnati.

Lopez faces the prospect of going Federer, Murray, Djokovic to the title, having just knocked out Nadal. His level varies from week to week and his serve is often what can give him a shot against the better players. He will have to serve out of his skin to have a chance, with Federer returning better and more aggressively than ever.

Federer in two

Fourth Quarter

Andy Murray GBR [2] v Richard Gasquet FRA

I am not sure where Murray will be at in terms of fitness for this match. He has had some late finishes, some long matches and went all the way in Montreal last week. I have a sneaking suspicion he will be wary of battling through here and having nothing in the tank for a semi final against Federer.

– Andy Murray having career year in 2015 – 

Gasquet has all the shots to capitalise if Murray isn’t committed to the match. He will be more likely to finish the match than Dimitrov last night. Murray is a fighter, however, and once the match is underway he just hates to lose, no matter the circumstances.

Murray in three

Please do share your thoughts in the comments below and on Twitter.

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