By Tony FairbairnNovak Djokovic returns to Cincinnati as Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz are absent in Ohio.Top Seeds: Alexander Zverev, Felix Auger-Aliassime, Novak Djokovic, Daniil MedvedevBritish Interest: Arthur Fery [32], Cameron Norrie, Jan Choinski, Jack Draper [WC]CINCINNATI, USA – Novak Djokovic returns to Cincinnati as he intensifies his US Open preparations but there are no Carlos Alcaraz or Jannik Sinner.

 

 

Best Result: Champion (2021)

Zverev will be aiming to take advantage of the latest big opportunity as he looks to build momentum ahead of the US Open.

Zverev’s Path to the Final (Ranking/Seeding)

R1: BYE | H2H: N/AR2: Cameron Norrie | H2H: Zverev leads 7-0R3: Tomas Martin Etcheverry [26] | H2H: Zverev leads 2-0R4: Valentin Vacherot [15] | H2H: First MeetingQF: Flavio Cobolli [7] | H2H: Zverev leads 4-1SF: Novak Djokovic [3] | H2H: Djokovic leads 9-5F: Felix Auger-Aliassime [2] | H2H: Zverev leads 6-4

Zverev’s title bid will begin against Cameron Norrie with the German winning all seven previous meetings against the Brit. A potential third round match against Tomas Martin Etcheverry could be gruelling while a fourth round match against Valentin Vacherot or Tommy Paul could be on the cards. In the quarter-finals, Zverev could face Flavio Cobolli in a rematch of the Roland Garros final although Rafael Jodar could be a more likely proposition. This is a good draw for Zverev but the German will be hoping he can perform better as the top seed then he has done in the past.

 

Best Result: Quarter-Final (2021, 2024, 2025)

Auger-Aliassime will look to recover from injury in order to produce a deep run in Cincinnati.

Auger-Aliassime’s Path to the Final (Ranking/Seeding)

R1: BYE | H2H: N/AR2: Stefanos Tsitsipas | H2H: Tsitsipas leads 7-3R3: Arthur Rinderknech [25] | H2H: Auger-Aliassime leads 2-1R4: Learner Tien [16] | H2H: Auger-Aliassime leads 1-0QF: Ben Shelton [8] | H2H: Auger-Aliassime leads 2-0SF: Daniil Medvedev [4] | H2H: Medvedev leads 8-2F: Alexander Zverev [1] | H2H: Zverev leads 6-4

A brutal opening round could await Auger-Aliassime in the form of Stefanos Tsitsipas while Arthur Rinderknech will be a very difficult third round test. In the last 16 the in-form Learner Tien would await while Montreal champion Ben Shelton would await the Canadian. It will be a tricky tournament for Auger-Aliassime especially given his injury setbacks but a big week in Cincinnati would be a much needed boost heading into New York.

 

 

Best Result: Champion (2018, 2020, 2023)

Djokovic returns to Cincinnati for the first time in three years and aims to take advantage of the absence of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.

Djokovic’s Path to the Final (Ranking/Seeding)

R1: BYE | H2H: N/AR2: Thiago Agustin Tirante | H2H: First MeetingR3: Matteo Arnaldi [31] | H2H: Tied at 1-1R4: Jakub Mensik [14] | H2H: Tied at 1-1QF: Alex De Minaur [5] | H2H: Djokovic leads 3-1SF: Alexander Zverev [1] | H2H: Djokovic leads 9-5F: Felix Auger-Aliassime [1] | H2H: Djokovic leads 2-1

A fairly tricky opening round awaits Djokovic as he will have to deal with one of the fastest serves on tour in the form of Thiago Agustin Tirante. After a match against Matteo Arnaldi, Djokovic could then face Jakub Mensik in the fourth round before a potential quarter-final with Alex De Minaur. In a favourable section of the draw, Djokovic will fancy his chances of going deep and with conditions being quite fast the Serb will then have enough confidence to feel he can win the tournament.

 

Best Result: Champion (2019)

After an opening round defeat in Montreal, Medvedev is aiming to get back on track at a tournament he has a good history with.

Medvedev’s Path to the Final (Ranking/Seeding)

R1: BYE | H2H: N/AR2: Hamad Medjedovic | H2H: Tied at 1-1R3: Brandon Nakashima [27] | H2H: Medvedev leads 3-0R4: Andrey Rublev [13] | H2H: Medvedev leads 7-2QF: Taylor Fritz [6] | H2H: Tied at 1-1SF: Felix Auger-Aliassime [2]| H2H: Medvedev leads 8-2F: Alexander Zverev [1] | H2H: Medvedev leads 14-8

A tough start for Medvedev to Cincinnati as he is set to take on Hamad Medjedovic before a third round contest with Montreal finalist Brandon Nakashima. In the fourth round Medvedev could face good friend Andrey Rublev before a potential quarter-final against Taylor Fritz although the likes of Casper Ruud and Joao Fonseca will be determined to take advantage of Fritz’s injury woes. Given Medvedev’s recent form the former champion isn’t expected to go deep in Ohio but the fourth seed always plays at his best when the pressure is off.

Cincinnati starts on the 13th of August and concludes on the 23rd of August.

 

 

How to Watch/Follow ATP Cincinnati 2026