Damien Kayat previews the WTP Tour Cincinnati Masters Round of 16 matches between Iga Swiatek vs Madison Keys as well as Emma Radacanu vs Jessica Pegula.
18 August : Cincinnati Masters
Iga Swiatek (1) 1/6 vs Madison Keys 10/3
It was never going to last. Iga Swiatek’s domination during the first half of this season was a wonder to behold. She won six titles and an incredible 37 consecutive matches before being dethroned by the unlikely figure of Alize Cornet.
She was sublime in the early Hardcourt campaign, reaching the semi-finals of the Aussie Open before winning three consecutive WTA 1000 events.
Her aggressive, all-out style was bound to hit a stumbling block at some point. It was just unrealistic to think that the Pole could paint the lines forever. And she has battled slightly to regather that lost momentum.
She lost in Canada last week to clay-court specialist Haddad Maia. And this week she drew a dangerous first-round opponent in former US Open champ Sloane Stephens.
But she came through that examination with flying colours. It was the kind of performance that could help her recapture that unbeatable aura.
This is the portion of the season where Madison Keys traditionally shines. The 27-year-old American won her only WTA 1000 title at the 2019 Cincinnati Open. She is also a former US Open finalist who just loves the speed of these North-American hardcourts.
She has an excellent serve that helps her to dictate rallies. 2022 has seen something of a resurgence in the fortunes of the American. She had fallen to as low as 87 in the world in January (her lowest ranking since she was a teenager).
But a 6th career title in Adelaide was followed by a spectacular semi-final run at the Aussie Open (she sure loves pitching up for Grand Slams).
These results have helped propel her back into the world’s top 30. But her form has wobbled since February and she was forced to withdraw from Wimbledon due to an abdominal injury. But it seems as if these familiar surrounds have helped her finally shake any lingering injury issues.
She is yet to drop a set this week, taking down the tricky Putintseva and the mercurial Ostapenko. This should make for a fascinating round of 16 clash.
The Verdict: Cincinnati Masters
Keys to win at 1/6 – Swiatek leads the head-to-head with Keys 2-0. She absolutely obliterated Keys when they met earlier this season at Indian Wells (this was right in the midst of Swiatek’s dominant period).
But you have to remember that the courts at Indian Wells are painfully slow by modern hardcourt standards. Keys will be far more at home on these slicker surfaces. I really think there’s some value in backing the American.
Swiatek just hasn’t looked herself of late and Keys could exploit her self-doubts.
19th August : Cincinnati Masters
Emma Radacanu (10) (11/10) vs Jessica Pegula (7) (7/10)
Another day, another bagel against a former World No.1. I really had my doubts that US Open champ Emma Radacanu could withstand the pressure this week.
But the Brit has astounded me with absolutely ruthless displays against Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka (victories that came just 18 hours apart). Her opening round victory against Serena Williams felt like a ‘passing of the torch’ type moment.
But it was hard to truly gauge Radacanu’s form due to Williams’ recent inactivity. But her performance against Azarenka seemed to reinforce the notion that Radacanu could be ready to prove her numerous naysayers wrong (here’s looking at you Piers Morgan).
She lost just 13 points in the entire first set against Azarenka. But she will need to be at her best to take down a formidable hardcourt competitor in Jessica Pegula.
Jessica Pegula just seems to love the big stage. She started the year ranked 18th in the world and has climbed to a career high 7th. Her three-set opening victory against Marta Kostyuk took her season win-loss tally to a highly respectable 30-15. But what stands out about Pegula is her tendency to perform in the elite events.
She was a quarterfinalist this year at both the Aussie Open and French Open. But she has also been excellent in WTA 1000 events, reaching the final in Madrid and semi-finals in Miami.
She solidified her burgeoning reputation as a big-match dark horse with an exceptional run to last week’s Canadian Open semi-finals. It took a herculean effort from Simona Halep to claw back the initiative in a titanic semi-final clash.
Pegula has the ability to go from counterpuncher to aggressor in the blink of an eye. It’s that type of versatility that has seen her become a mainstay in these significant events.
The Verdict: Cincinnati Masters
Pegula to win in three at 23/10- This will be the first career meeting between these two. Radacanu has obviously curried plenty of favour with those impressive victories against Azarenka and Williams.
But this is not 2015. Azarenka and Williams are there for the taking against younger, more physically mobile players.
I think Pegula will be a far more difficult task for the Brit. Her grit and mobility could see her through to a tight three-set win.
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