Tuesday 18 August 2015 18:14, UK
With the US Open edging ever closer, a blockbuster has assembled at the Cincinnati Masters, with 27 of the top 30 players in the world bidding to reach their peak before the final Grand Slam of the year in New York.
Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray have claimed nine of the last 10 titles in the Ohio city, while Novak Djokovic will be desperate claim the only ATP Masters 1000 title that has eluded him.
Defending champion Federer is set to return to action for the first time since losing the Wimbledon final to Djokovic in July. You can follow the action live on Sky Sports from 4pm from Monday until Friday and from 6pm at the weekend.
Murray, who beat Djokovic in the final of the Montreal Masters on Sunday, will bid to become only the fifth player since 1995 to complete the Canada-Cincinnati title sweep.
The previous four to have completed the feat in the last 20 years are Nadal in 2013, Andy Roddick in 2003, Pat Rafter in 1998 and Andre Agassi in 1995.
Murray will see winning in Cincinnati as a good omen as all four to accomplish the back-to-back titles went on to make the final in Flushing Meadows, with all bar Agassi going on to win the final Slam of the year.
The world No 2’s potential route to the title is far from easy however. Murray faces 2003 and 2010 finalist Mardy Fish in the second round, before potentially being matched-up with 16th seed Grigor Dimitrov in round three.
Should the British No 1 get past the Bulgarian, he could face reigning US Open champion Marin Cilic in the quarter-finals. Victory over the Croatian could potentially set up a semi-final clash against Federer or Nadal and a mouth-watering battle for the title against Djokovic.
The world No 1 from Serbia is seeking to become the first player in the history of the game to complete a 'career golden Masters' – winning all nine ATP Masters 1000 titles.
Djokovic is making his 11th consecutive appearance in Cincinnati having reached the final four times. The Serb fell short to Murray in 2008 and 2011, and Federer beat him in 2009 and most recently in 2012.
Djokovic’s stamina and endurance will surely be tested after already spending a combined total of 14 hours and 14 minutes on court in Montreal.
In addition to getting the final in Canada, Djokovic reached the semi-finals of the doubles competition last week alongside compatriot Janko Tipsarevic.
Federer is back in action for the first time since his four-set defeat to Djokovic at Wimbledon. The 34-year-old, who opted to sit out of the Montreal Masters, has compiled a 40-7 record this season, and only lost twice in 18 matches on hard courts in 2015.
Cincinnati is Federer’s favourite North American tournament having won it six times. The Swiss No 1 has a perfect 6-0 record in finals and will be aiming for an unprecedented seventh title in his 15th appearance.
Milestone watch
Nadal is three wins away from his 750th career match-win and four away from his 300th at Masters 1000 level.
Eighth seed Milos Raonic can clinch his 200th career match-win when he takes on Feliciano Lopez on Tuesday.
Fernando Verdasco can claim his 100th Masters 1000 match-win with victory over Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who is three wins away from achieving the same feat – as is Gilles Simon.
Best of the rest
Borna Coric, the youngest player in the draw, takes on fellow teenager Alexander Zverev first. The 18-year-old Coric, who won the 2014 ATP Star of Tomorrow award, lost in the opening round in Montreal to Tsonga and will be looking for more match experience ahead of the US Open.
American No 1 and 2013 Cincinnati finalist John Isner has won 11 of 13 matches during this North American hard court swing. It is the fifth time in the last seven years that Isner has won at least 10 matches prior to heading to New York in late August.
Nick Kyrgios found himself the subject of front and back page news last week after making an unsavoury comment towards his opponent Stan Wawrinka that involved fellow Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis.
Kyrigos and Kokkinakis could find themselves facing off against each other on the court if they can negotiate opening round wins against Richard Gasquet and Fabio Fognini, respectively.
Watch the Cincinnati Masters live on Sky Sports at 4pm between Monday and Friday, and 6pm at the weekend. Not a Sky subscriber? Then watch for £6.99 with a NOW TV Day Pass.
