Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the ATP Cincinnati match.
Carlos Alcaraz returns to action after almost a month on the sidelines and is clearly still some way from peak form. In his first match back, he dropped a set to Damir Dzumhur, and now faces an in-form Hamad Medjedovic, who has the tools to trouble the world No 2.
Hamad Medjedovic
Medjedovic has made notable strides on quicker surfaces this season: three wins from four matches on hard courts and an impressive 11-2 run indoors, including a final in Marseille. In Cincinnati, the Serbian has powered past Aleksandar Kovacevic and Griekspoor without dropping a set, conceding just one break of serve and winning over 84% of points behind his first delivery. With a big serve and a confident backhand, he has been holding comfortably.
Carlos Alcaraz
Alcaraz, meanwhile, has not shown his usual dominance on hard courts this year: in four of his seven wins, he has either dropped a set or scraped through by the narrowest of margins. Lost sets to Luca Nardi and Damir Dzumhur, along with a quick elimination by David Goffin in Miami, underline that Carlos is far from his best on this surface right now. Cincinnati has never been a smooth starting ground for him either — since 2023, all seven of his matches here have gone to three sets.
Hamad Medjedovic vs Carlos Alcaraz Prediction
Medjedovic has the weapons to hold serve consistently and make this competitive, even in defeat. With Alcaraz’s habit of conceding sets in Cincinnati, this has every chance of turning into a drawn-out battle with at least 21 games played.
