Throughout the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati, we'll preview the upcoming days' must-see matches.
Madison Keys vs. Daria Kasatkina
Keys had her traditional ups and downs in her first-round win over CoCo Vandeweghe, but she looked focused and energized in defeating her compatriot in the Stanford final two weeks earlier. Kasatkina will be overmatched, serve-wise and forehand-wise, by Keys, but her spin-heavy game should also provide an intriguing contrast of styles. Keys and Kasatkina have played twice, and Keys has won twice. But the last time, in Wuhan in the fall, it went to 6-4 in the third. Winner: Keys
Petra Kvitova vs. Sloane Stephens
It’s time to talk about Sloane again. She has returned from foot surgery with more of a bang—and more of a level head—than anyone expected. In Toronto last week, she beat Lucie Safarova, Angelique Kerber, and her opponent on Wednesday, Kvitova. Can Stephens do it again? She beat Safarova for a second time in Cincy, and Kvitova has never hearted the American heartland. Winner: Stephens
Rafael Nadal vs. Richard Gasquet
If Nadal could pick one high-level pro to play, it might be Gasquet. As a pro, Rafa is 14-0 against his old junior rival, and there’s no particular reason to think that Gasquet will make his breakthrough at age 31. As far as first-rounders go, though, the shot-making should make this one worthy of its late-night slot. Winner: Nadal
