Cincinnati Open Draw 2026 – Perfect Tennis

The Cincinnati Open draw is out, and like Montreal, it’s not the simplest match to evaluate on paper.

Ben Shelton, Learner Tien, Rafael Jódar and Brandon Nakashima are all nonetheless alive in Montreal on the time of writing, and backing up a deep run with one other Masters 1000 nearly instantly afterwards is rarely simple, so assessing their paths isn’t simple.

With Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz each absent, Alexander Zverev and the returning Novak Djokovic headline one other wide-open Masters draw, whereas Félix Auger-Aliassime comes again after lacking his dwelling occasion with a again damage.

Cincinnati has traditionally been my favorite Masters 1000. The faster courts typically reward attacking tennis, and in the course of the Federer years it produced a few of his finest stuff.

His 2015 run most likely summed it up finest when Feliciano López informed him on the web: “You’re faster than ever, huh? Fucking flying all around the court docket.”

We most likely received’t see anybody flying round fairly like Federer did that week, however with no Sinner or Alcaraz and several other Montreal contenders arriving on a decent turnaround, we hopefully get an honest match, regardless of one other two-week Masters 1000 program.

Right here’s how the draw shapes up.

Match Data

Cincinnati Open 2026 Seeds

Seeds

Alexander Zverev
Félix Auger-Aliassime
Novak Djokovic
Daniil Medvedev
Alex de Minaur
Taylor Fritz
Flavio Cobolli
Ben Shelton
Jiří Lehečka
Lorenzo Musetti
Casper Ruud
Rafael Jódar
Andrey Rublev
Jakub Menšík
Valentin Vacherot
Learner Tien
Frances Tiafoe
Tommy Paul
Luciano Darderi
Francisco Cerúndolo
Arthur Fils
Alejandro Tabilo
João Fonseca
Ugo Humbert
Arthur Rinderknech
Tomás Martín Etcheverry
Brandon Nakashima
Alexander Blockx
Ignacio Buse
Zizou Bergs
Matteo Arnaldi
Arthur Fery

Wild Playing cards

Protected Rating

Withdrawals

Qualifiers

Fortunate Losers

2026 Cincinnati Draw

High Half

Alexander Zverev (1) — ByeCameron Norrie vs Dino PrizmicMarton Fucsovics vs Terence AtmaneTomas Martin Etcheverry (26) — Bye

Tommy Paul (18) — ByeCorentin Moutet vs Hubert HurkaczQualifier vs Adolfo Daniel VallejoValentin Vacherot (15) — Bye

Rafael Jodar (12) — ByeDenis Shapovalov vs Adrian MannarinoRoman Andres Burruchaga vs Jan-Lennard StruffAlejandro Tabilo (22) — Bye

Alexander Blockx (28) — ByeMariano Navone vs Raphael CollignonCamilo Ugo Carabelli vs Miomir KecmanovicFlavio Cobolli (7) — Bye

Novak Djokovic (3) — ByeThiago Agustin Tirante vs Jan ChoinskiMartin Landaluce vs Jack Draper (WC)Matteo Arnaldi (31) — Bye

Luciano Darderi (19) — ByeRinky Hijikata (WC) vs Gael Monfils (WC)Zachary Svajda vs Mattia BellucciJakub Mensik (14) — Bye

Jiri Lehecka (9) — ByeQualifier vs Matteo BerrettiniYannick Hanfmann vs QualifierArthur Fils (21) — Bye

Arthur Fery (32) — ByeQualifier vs James DuckworthVit Kopriva vs QualifierAlex de Minaur (5) — Bye

Backside Half

Taylor Fritz (6) — ByeAlex Michelsen vs Jesper de JongDaniel Merida vs Marin Cilic (WC)Zizou Bergs (30) — Bye

Joao Fonseca (23) — ByeBotic van de Zandschulp vs Tallon GriekspoorQualifier vs Kamil MajchrzakCasper Ruud (11) — Bye

Andrey Rublev (13) — ByeTomas Machac vs Pablo Carreno BustaNuno Borges vs Thanasi Kokkinakis (PR)Francisco Cerundolo (20) — Bye

Brandon Nakashima (27) — ByeAleksandar Kovacevic vs Karen KhachanovHamad Medjedovic vs QualifierDaniil Medvedev (4) — Bye

Ben Shelton (8) — ByeQualifier vs Jenson BrooksbyAdam Walton vs QualifierIgnacio Buse (29) — Bye

Ugo Humbert (24) — ByeFabian Marozsan vs QualifierQualifier vs Daniel AltmaierLorenzo Musetti (10) — Bye

Learner Tien (16) — ByeSebastian Baez vs Grigor Dimitrov (WC)Juncheng Shang (PR) vs Lorenzo SonegoFrances Tiafoe (17) — Bye

Arthur Rinderknech (25) — ByeQualifier vs Juan Manuel CerundoloValentin Royer vs Stefanos TsitsipasFelix Auger-Aliassime (2) — Bye

PDF Draw

Ideas on the Draw

First Quarter: Led by Alexander Zverev (1)

Seeded Gamers: Alexander Zverev (1), Flavio Cobolli (7), Rafael Jódar (12), Valentin Vacherot (15), Tommy Paul (18), Alejandro Tabilo (22), Tomás Martín Etcheverry (26), Alexander Blockx (28)

Notable Early Matches

Evaluation

Alexander Zverev as soon as once more finds himself on the high of a Masters 1000 draw, and with Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz absent, there received’t be many higher alternatives for him so as to add one other huge hard-court title.

His Montreal marketing campaign ended nearly as quickly because it began towards Tallon Griekspoor, so he’ll be in search of a significantly better exhibiting in Cincinnati.

The German opens towards both Cameron Norrie or Dino Prižmić. Neither is the perfect first match after a bye, as Norrie by no means says die, and Prižmić has upset seeds earlier than, however Zverev needs to be closely favoured towards each, and his projected third-round opponent is Tomás Martín Etcheverry.

Issues turn into extra attention-grabbing within the final sixteen, the place Tommy Paul and Valentin Vacherot are the main seeds. Paul-Lorenze is of course the larger hazard on a North American arduous court docket, though his season has by no means actually gathered sustained momentum.

The opposite half of the quarter is much much less predictable.

Rafael Jódar is quickly turning into one of many extra attention-grabbing names on Tour and continues to look more and more comfy at this degree. His opening match will come towards Denis Shapovalov or Adrian Mannarino earlier than a possible third-round assembly with Alejandro Tabilo or Jan-Lennard Struff.

That’s not a very pleasant route given he’ll have a really quick turnaround from Montreal.

Cobolli is on this part and opens towards Miomir Kecmanović or Camilo Ugo Carabelli, earlier than doubtlessly dealing with Alexander Blockx or Mariano Navone. The Italian has produced his finest outcomes on clay and grass, so he’s due some outcomes on arduous court docket in what has already been a robust season.

Blockx can be price watching. The Belgian has loads of clear ball placing and doesn’t look misplaced towards established Tour gamers, though his week-to-week consistency remains to be growing.

General, Zverev has little to complain about. There are harmful gamers dotted all through the part, however no one I’d take into account a nightmare draw for him earlier than the quarter-finals.

If he avoids one other flat efficiency like Montreal, he needs to be anticipating to succeed in the final eight.

Second Quarter: Led by Novak Djokovic (3)

Seeded Gamers: Novak Djokovic (3), Alex de Minaur (5), Jiří Lehečka (9), Jakub Menšík (14), Luciano Darderi (19), Arthur Fils (21), Alexander Fery (32), Matteo Arnaldi (31)

Notable Early Matches

Evaluation

Novak Djokovic makes his return to Tour motion for the primary time since Wimbledon, and Cincinnati ought to inform us a lot about the place his sport is heading into the US Open.

The Serbian has received this title 3 times and, with Sinner and Alcaraz absent, he instantly turns into one of many apparent favourites regardless of having performed little or no tennis over the previous few months.

His opening match can be towards Thiago Tirante or Jan Choinski.

Tirante has produced some stellar tennis in the course of the North American hard-court swing, in order that may very well be a surprisingly helpful early check slightly than the routine opener Djokovic might need most popular.

The third spherical is the place the draw will get significantly attention-grabbing.

Jack Draper has acquired a wildcard and opens towards Martin Landaluce, with Matteo Arnaldi ready for the winner. Whoever survives that part is Djokovic’s projected opponent.

Draper’s degree when match is clearly excessive sufficient to trigger issues, however health stays the apparent query. Being within the draw and truly getting via a number of matches in succession have been two very various things for him currently, and his Montreal marketing campaign mainly led to tears.

Additional down, Jakub Menšík and Luciano Darderi are seeded to fulfill within the third spherical.

Menšík possesses the form of first-strike sport that may trouble Djokovic if he’s serving effectively, whereas Darderi continues to turn into a extra rounded participant slightly than somebody who’s classed as a clay courter.

Gaël Monfils towards Rinky Hijikata is one other enjoyable first-rounder, with Darderi awaiting the winner.

The underside part is headed by Alex de Boulter, who begins towards Vít Kopřiva or a qualifier and has most likely been handed the softer route of the 2 main seeds.

Arthur Fery, Arthur Fils and Jiří Lehečka are the principle obstacles.

Fery is available in seeded after his Wimbledon exploits, however asking him to beat de Minaur over three units on an outside arduous court docket remains to be a unique proposition. Fils has the athleticism and weight of shot to hassle anyone, whereas Lehečka stays harmful when his first serve and forehand are clicking.

A Djokovic vs de Minaur quarter-final is the apparent projection. However how a lot ought to we belief Djokovic instantly after one other spell away from competitors? That’s tough to reply, and I’ll all the time again Nole after his stance in 2020/2021, however he hasn’t actually clicked into high gear shortly.

Third Quarter: Led by Daniil Medvedev (4)

Seeded Gamers: Daniil Medvedev (4), Taylor Fritz (6), Casper Ruud (11), Andrey Rublev (13), Francisco Cerúndolo (20), João Fonseca (23), Brandon Nakashima (27), Zizou Bergs (30)

Notable Early Matches

Evaluation

That is arguably the toughest quarter to foretell.

Taylor Fritz occupies the highest spot within the part and may admire avoiding Zverev and Djokovic till the semi-finals. The American opens towards Alex Michelsen or Jesper de Jong.

Michelsen is the apparent hazard there. He’s comfy on arduous courts, takes the ball early and received’t be intimidated by taking part in one other American increased up the rankings.

Additional down, João Fonseca and Casper Ruud are seeded to collide within the fourth spherical.

Fonseca stays a type of gamers the place the forehand can take the racquet out of an opponent’s hand, however his outcomes nonetheless fluctuate excess of they finally ought to as soon as he matures.

Ruud is rarely going to get the identical respect on arduous courts as he does on clay, however he’s reached a US Open closing and stays way more achieved on the floor than the same old stereotype suggests and can be trying to avenge his loss to Fonseca in Montreal.

The underside a part of the quarter incorporates two Russians determined to rediscover their finest degree.

Andrey Rublev has Tomáš Macháč, Pablo Carreño Busta, Nuno Borges and Thanasi Kokkinakis in his fast part, whereas Daniil Medvedev might face Brandon Nakashima or Karen Khachanov earlier than the final sixteen.

Nakashima’s clear, compact sport is especially effectively suited to arduous courts, and he not often offers a lot away without spending a dime. Towards a Medvedev who has been far much less dependable than throughout his peak years, that’s precisely the form of matchup Meddy want to keep away from.

Khachanov presents a unique drawback along with his serve and forehand, whereas Alexander Kovacevic can be able to taking part in aggressive hard-court tennis if he will get via their opening match.

Medvedev is the very best seed right here, however I’m not satisfied that makes him the person to beat given what he’s produced this season.

Fritz has the extra reliable sport in the mean time, and the situations ought to go well with him. If his physique/knee has recovered correctly from a busy summer season, he appears the most probably semi-finalist from this quarter.

Fourth Quarter: Led by Félix Auger-Aliassime (2)

Seeded Gamers: Félix Auger-Aliassime (2), Ben Shelton (8), Lorenzo Musetti (10), Learner Tien (16), Frances Tiafoe (17), Ugo Humbert (24), Arthur Rinderknech (25), Ignacio Buse (29)

Notable Early Matches

Evaluation

Félix Auger-Aliassime missed Montreal with a again drawback, so the primary query isn’t actually about his draw; it’s how shut he’s to full health.

If he’s wholesome, Cincinnati presents a superb alternative. If he’s nonetheless managing the damage, his opening match might expose it instantly.

The Canadian faces both Valentin Royer or Stefanos Tsitsipas in his opener.

Tsitsipas is nowhere close to as huge a menace as he as soon as was, significantly on arduous courts, however there’s most likely nonetheless sufficient high quality there to make him a clumsy first match for someone getting back from an damage.

Arthur Rinderknech might then await in spherical three, and his serve makes him one other participant you don’t significantly need to face earlier than you’ve discovered your rhythm.

Learner Tien and Frances Tiafoe are positioned in the identical part.

Tien’s skill to soak up tempo, redirect the ball and make opponents play an additional shot has already triggered loads of established gamers issues. Tiafoe is nearly the exact opposite stylistically: explosive, athletic and able to going via patches the place every part occurs in a short time.

Grigor Dimitrov is the wildcard in that mini-section.

The Bulgarian opens towards Sebastián Báez and, assuming his physique holds up, nonetheless possesses greater than sufficient selection and timing to beat both Tien or Tiafoe.

On the high of the quarter sits Ben Shelton.

He opens towards Jenson Brooksby or a qualifier, who you’d all the time say is hard however he’s not had many wins of late.

Ignacio Buse is the projected third-round opponent, earlier than both Ugo Humbert or Lorenzo Musetti within the final sixteen.

Humbert will be extraordinarily harmful when he’s taking the ball early on a fast court docket, whereas Musetti is one you’d slightly again on clay than on a North American arduous court docket.

Shelton’s serve offers him such a big base degree on this floor that he doesn’t essentially must play brilliantly to get via the primary few rounds.

Finest First-Spherical Matches to Watch

Martin Landaluce vs Jack Draper – All eyes can be on Draper’s health after one other disrupted spell. Landaluce has struggled for wins currently, however there’s no assure the Brit can instantly rediscover his finest degree. The winner might finally land Novak Djokovic within the third spherical.

Cameron Norrie vs Dino Prižmić – A longtime Tour common towards one of many extra promising younger gamers within the draw. Norrie’s awkward sport makes him tough to interrupt down, whereas Prižmić has sufficient weight of shot to make this a real check.

Rinky Hijikata vs Gaël Monfils – Monfils is all the time price watching, and there received’t be many extra alternatives to see him at this degree.

Botic van de Zandschulp vs Tallon Griekspoor – An all-Dutch matchup between two gamers able to taking out a lot greater names when their confidence is excessive. Griekspoor’s serve and forehand give him the larger firepower, however Van de Zandschulp isn’t a straightforward opponent.

Sebastian Báez vs Grigor Dimitrov – Dimitrov returns with a wildcard and, when wholesome, stays comfortably the extra pure hard-court participant. Báez will attempt to flip it right into a bodily contest and see precisely how a lot tennis is within the Bulgarian’s legs.

Valentin Royer vs Stefanos Tsitsipas – Tsitsipas has fallen a good distance from the place he occupied just a few seasons in the past, which suggests matches like this not really feel routine. The reward for the winner is a second-round assembly with Félix Auger-Aliassime.