And one year later, also in #USOpen 4th round match, @CasperRuud98 produces the second ever around-the-net RETURN winner captured on video. 🎥@usopen

Oops, almost missed this result. This is an encouraging win for Stef.

Also, Casper having a bit of a tantrum because of Rinderknech's time-delaying tactics was kind of amusing. "Last time I checked he's not deaf. He can hear you [chair umpire] calling TIME just as well as I do" — you don't hear such a tirade from Casper too often 😂😭.

Anyway, while it's concerning if his current troubles are caused by ongoing knee issue and it's not going to be resolved for a while, the Madrid title alone salvages Casper' season. Imo, if a player achieves something he's never done before it's a good season no matter what.

Medvedev said the courts are slower than in previous years 😭.Though to be fair to him, he didn't call them *slow* — just *slower* than they used to be.

Somewhat ironically, the only time he won a match at Cincy was when he came to North America on the back of three successive post-Wimbledon clay court titles.

Some tournaments are just not made for some players 😭. Casper in Cincinnati main draws:. 2019: opening round loss.2020: opening round loss.2021: quarterfinal.2022: opening round loss.2023: opening round loss.2024: opening round loss.2025: opening round loss.

It's his movement that is the biggest concern though and I don't know how serious the problem is and how much time it would take to address it. The rest could be if not fixed then somewhat compensated for.

And the two things that helped him grind out a couple of wins in Canada — clutch serving and will to fight — were nowhere to be found today. When he of all players starts complaining to his box and umpire already in the first set you know he's pretty much out of the match.

Everything that was bad for Casper at Toronto became even worse at Cincy. Movement is clearly hampered (he's late almost to every ball) and ROS is simply nonexistent. And while the former likely affects the latter, his suicidal ROS position exacerbating the problem is his choice.

I know I'm awful but 😭

Maybe he eventually partners someone he has actually talked to before!.

At this rate, by the time US Open mixed doubles starts Draper will have changed more partners than Henry VIII wives.

From Cincinnati Player Guide:."The Grizzly Golf and Social Lodge, adjacent to the tournament site, is reserved for players and player guests only from August 5-18. Players have access to complimentary rounds of golf throughout the tournament.".

Which made me check who was the last player to win a tournament with both Sinner and Alcaraz in the draw:.Rublev at 2024 Madrid (d. Alcaraz in QF while Sinner gave a walkover to FAA). And the last tournament where both Sinner and Alcaraz actually lost a match was 2023 YEC.

He'll also become Russian #1 for the first time since August 2019.

Khachanov was down to #27 in April. He will return into Top 10 after Cincy unless one of Rune/Ruud reaches at least semifinal.

ATP M1000/YEC Bonus Pool leaders,.after 6 of 10 tournaments:. 1. Alcaraz 2410 (-50%)*.2. Draper 1960 (-50%)*.3. Musetti 1650.4. Ruud 1510.5. Mensik 1380.6. Shelton 1280.7. Cerundolo 1050 (-25%)*.8. Fritz 1010.9. De Minaur 1000.10. Khachanov 910. * bonus cuts due to missing M1000s.

Rublev is not #10, Musetti is. I wish people stop using that livetennisEU website that is littered with errors. There's live rankings on the ATP website and, of course, @OpenEraRankings — much more reliable source of ranking updates.

Shelton has now de facto qualified for Turin as well.

Indian Wells.Draper beats Fritz in 4R ➡️ goes on to win first M1000 title. Miami.Mensik beats Fritz in SF ➡️ goes on to win first M1000 title. Madrid.Ruud beats Fritz in 4R ➡️ goes on to win first M1000 title. Toronto.Shelton beats Fritz in SF ➡️ goes on to win first M1000 title.