Thirteenth seed John Isner will look to ignite his North American hard-court swing on Sunday when he kicks off main draw play at the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati.

Isner will be playing in just his 12^th tournament of the season after missing three months – April through June – because of a broken left foot suffered in the Miami Open presented by Itau final (l. to Federer). The top American returned at Wimbledon, losing in the second round but rebounded quickly by winning his first title of the season on the Newport grass last month.

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Isner is 1-2 so far during the North American hard-court swing, suffering his earliest Atlanta exit yet (second round) and falling in the third round at the Citi Open in Washington, D.C.

The 2013 finalist and 2017 semi-finalist headlines the night session against Serbian Dusan Lajovic, who won his first ATP Tour title last month at the clay-court Plava Laguna Croatia Open Umag. Isner, No. 15 in the ATP Rankings, leads their FedEx ATP Head2Head series 5-1 and won both of their hard-court meetings, the most recent coming at last year’s US Open.

In the only other main-draw singles match of the day, #NextGenATP Aussie Alex de Minaur, the BB&T Atlanta Open champion, meets three-time ATP Tour titlist Marco Cecchinato of Italy. De Minaur leads their FedEx ATP Head2Head series 2-1, which includes a straight-sets win at Wimbledon last month.

ORDER OF PLAY – SUNDAY 11 AUGUST 2019
CENTER COURT start 10:00 am
WTA match
WTA match

Not Before 2:00 pm
Alex de Minaur (AUS) vs Marco Cecchinato (ITA)

Not Before 7:00 pm
Dusan Lajovic (SRB) vs [13] John Isner (USA)
David Goffin (BEL) / Hubert Hurkacz (POL) vs Ivan Dodig (CRO) / Filip Polasek (SVK)

GRANDSTAND start 11:00 am
Qualifying – [3] Pablo Carreno Busta (ESP) vs [WC] J. Wolf (USA) 
WTA match
Qualifying – [1] M. Kukushkin (KAZ) vs [12] [Alt] A. Rublev (RUS) 
[5] Pierre-Hugues Herbert (FRA) / Nicolas Mahut (FRA) vs Nikola Mektic (CRO) / Franko Skugor (CRO)

To view the remainder of Sunday’s order of play, click here.

Rafael Nadal moved into his 51st ATP Masters 1000 final without hitting a ball on Saturday at the Coupe Rogers in Montreal.

The top-seeded Spaniard advanced by walkover when Frenchman Gael Monfils, who beat Roberto Bautista Agut earlier Saturday in their rain-postponed quarter-final, pulled out because of an ankle injury.

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Nadal will go for his record-extending 35^th Masters 1000 crown against Russian Daniil Medvedev, who beat Karen Khachanov 6-1, 7-6(6) to make his first Masters 1000 final.

It will be their first FedEx ATP Head2Head meeting. By making the final, Nadal is guaranteed to stay No. 2 in the ATP Rankings when the new standing are released on Monday. Roger Federer will remain at No. 3.

Nadal also will move to first place in the ATP Race To London come Monday. The ATP Rankings tally points from the past 52 weeks, whereas the Race points begin on 1 January and are an indicator of who will finish year-end No. 1.

If there’s one thing Daniil Medvedev has not done this week in Montreal, it’s waste time. The World No. 9 moved past countryman Karen Khachanov 6-1, 7-6(6) on Saturday at the Coupe Rogers, advancing to his first ATP Masters 1000 final without dropping a set.

Despite letting slip a break advantage on two occasions in the second set, including at 5-4 as he tried to serve out the match, Medvedev held his nerve in the tie-break to triumph after one hour and 23 minutes. His victory in the first Masters 1000 semi-final between two Russians will also make Medvedev the top-ranked player from his country on Monday, and he will play for the title against top seed Rafael Nadal.

“I’m playing very well right now. I believe if I am able to play like this, it’s not going to be easy for Rafa,” Medvedev said. “It’s going to be a big battle. I’m hoping that I can pull it out.”

One year ago, Medvedev was only No. 68 in the ATP Rankings, and he needed to qualify in Toronto. But now the Russian is not only inside the Top 10, but he is pressing his claims for a maiden spot at the Nitto ATP Finals, to be held at The O2 in London from 10-17 November.

Medvedev will finish the week in sixth place in the ATP Race To London. He has made four additional finals this year, including in Sofia where he captured the ATP 250 title.

For much of the match, Medvedev dominated his service games with his first serves to avoid much pressure from his compatriot, while forcing Khachanov to come up with something special on his serve with dogged defence. The victor won all but four of his first-serve points (33/37), whereas Khachanov managed to earn just 59 per cent of points on his first delivery.

“I absolutely did not think about the times when we were young. But it is, of course, a very special match. Before the match, I hadn’t thought about that, but I quickly understood it was going to be the match for me to become the top one in Russia,” Medvedev said. “So it was a big match. Both of us, we don’t like to play each other, so we were tense.”

Khachanov double faulted away both of the breaks he conceded in the first set. And at 1-1 in the second set, Medvedev was once again unrelenting, acting like a brick wall a few feet behind the baseline, putting ball after ball deep in the court until Khachanov pushed a forehand into the net to give the eighth seed a set-and-a-break lead.

In the next game, Medvedev hit a stunning tweener before working his way to the net to finish off the point, taking a 40/15 lead, motioning for the crowd’s support for his tremendous play. And suddenly, his level dropped off for the first time in the match, giving the break back to Khachanov. After bouncing back to break for the second time in the set, Medvedev’s nerves showed once again as he failed to serve out the match at 5-4.

Khachanov pushed to force a decider, winning four points in a row in the tie-break from 0/2 down. But Medvedev did not go away, clinching the match when one of his backhands bounced off the tape and trickled just over the net, not leaving enough time for Khachanov to get there.

This was just Medvedev’s second Masters 1000 semi-final. Earlier in the year, he was upset by Serbian Dusan Lajovic in the last four of the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters. This time, he faced a more experienced opponent in Khachanov, who defeated four Top 10 opponents en route to the Rolex Paris Masters title last year. But too often, Khachanov’s powerful arsenal was not enough to break through Medvedev’s fortress in rallies.

Medvedev’s opponent in the final, Nadal, advanced after Frenchman Gael Monfils withdrew due to an ankle sprain. The Russian has never played the legendary lefty.

“Of course it’s extra special. I played Novak and Roger a few times, both of them already. It’s different, I have to say. Yeah, there is some extra pressure. At the same time it’s fun to play them because, well, that’s what I have been working for all my life,” Medvedev said. “I won’t be intimidated. I want to win every match I play… hopefully I can do it tomorrow.”

Did You Know?
Medvedev, who hails from Moscow, has felt at home this week in Montreal. The World No. 9 speaks French, and he has done various interviews and interactions in the language throughout the week.

Throughout the second and third sets of his Coupe Rogers quarter-final, Gael Monfils appeared to be slowing down, potentially hampered by a slide to his left early in the second set. It appeared to be a matter of time before Roberto Bautista Agut — who needed a victory to crack the Top 10 of the ATP Rankings for the first time — would seize control of the match.

But Monfils battled hard and saved his best tennis for last, playing a sensational final-set tie-break to beat Bautista Agut 6-4, 3-6, 7-6(2) on Saturday, advancing to the semi-finals in Montreal after two hours and 25 minutes. The Frenchman will return to Court Central later Saturday evening to face top seed and defending champion Rafael Nadal in the last four.

This is Monfils’ first ATP Masters 1000 semi-final since 2016, when he made the last four in Toronto, succumbing against Novak Djokovic. The 32-year-old won five fewer points compared to Bautista Agut, but he finished off his victory with a massive forehand winner off a short ball, lifting his arms in celebration with a smile across his face.

As the match wore on, the rally patterns became increasingly similar, with Bautista Agut attacking with his forehand from the backhand side of the court as Monfils hung in there defensively and tried to make things uncomfortable for the Spaniard.

But when it mattered most, Monfils significantly upped his aggression, blasting away from the baseline to win his first two return points in the deciding-set tie-break. He sprinted to a 5/0 lead, which he did not relinquish. Monfils saved eight of the 10 break points he faced in the match.

The World No. 20 advanced to at least the semi-finals in three of his first four tournaments this year, highlighted by a triumph at the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam. This is Monfils’ first trip to the last four since that stretch.

Nadal leads his FedEx ATP Head2Head series against Monfils 14-2, with the Frenchman’s most recent victory against the legendary lefty coming at 2012 Doha. Ten of Nadal’s wins in this rivalry have come in straight sets. 

Did You Know?
Monfils has reached three Masters 1000 finals, with his most recent coming three years ago at the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters.

Stefanos Tsitsipas and Nick Kyrgios might be experiencing déjà vu after looking at this year’s Western & Southern Open doubles draw. The pair fell in the opening round of last week’s Citi Open to top seeds and reigning Wimbledon champions Juan Sebastian Cabal and Robert Farah, but have a chance at revenge when they meet the Colombians for another first-round clash in Cincinnati.

Six of the Top 10 singles seeds in Cincinnati are in the doubles draw. Novak Djokovic teams up with Janko Tipsarevic as they start their week against second seeds Lukasz Kubot and Marcelo Melo. Andy Murray and Feliciano Lopez pair up once again and will face fourth seeds Jean-Julien Rojer and Horia Tecau. Murray/Lopez took the title in June at the Fever-Tree Championships (d. Ram/Salisbury).

Eighth seeds Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan are one victory away from 1,100 tour-level doubles wins as a team, but the five-time champions will need to beat Roland Garros finalists Jeremy Chardy and Fabrice Martin for that milestone moment. Bob achieved 1,100 tour-level doubles wins this week at the Coupe Rogers, joining Mike as the only two players to accomplish the feat. 

Other notable teams in the draw include Dominic Thiem and Jan-Lennard Struff, Karen Khachanov and Radu Albot, Daniil Medvedev and Marcelo Demoliner, and Fabio Fognini and Grigor Dimitrov.

#NextGenATP Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime was taken by surprise at his first practise ahead of the Coupe Rogers last Friday evening. There were fans… lots of fans. The Montreal faithful wanted to get a look at the teenage sensation whenever they could, even if that meant showing up even before the start of qualifying at the sixth ATP Masters 1000 tournament of the year.

“The sound of the crowd, the people, the support they gave me was crazy. From the first practice I had here, then all the way to this match today was just crazy. It really is a dream come true,” Auger-Aliassime said after losing to Karen Khachanov on Thursday. “The atmosphere in the tie-break of the first set, at the end of the first set, was pretty surreal. I’ll for sure keep great memories of that.

“I never heard a stadium yell like this, sound like this, an atmosphere like this. It was incredible. At the changeover at 6-All, I could see the people there. I was raising my fist, and I felt energy coming up my legs. It was the first time I ever felt that. It was incredible.”

The newly-turned 19-year-old even got emotional as he stood on court after his loss. The crowd wasn’t done supporting him yet, singing happy birthday to the Canadian. Every time he walked through crowds during the week, fans chanted his name.

When players prepare to walk onto Court Central, what the cameras don’t always catch is that countless fans line the path — separated by ropes — to support the athletes on their walk to the court. And even after players sign autographs on the court before heading back to the locker room, they sign dozens more for the many fans waiting.

The crowd has supported all the players though, not just Canadians. One of the languages Russian Daniil Medvedev speaks is French, which the fans have appreciated throughout the week.

“It’s a beautiful atmosphere. It is, indeed, close to a Grand Slam. Every time we take the little cart to go and practise or go to the match, the cart can’t go through because there are too many people,” said Medvedev, a semi-finalist. “The first day I was surprised because normally on the first or second day of a tournament, Monday or Tuesday, there are not too many people because they’re working. Here it was crowded, especially in the evenings. It’s great.

“For my matches, there were many people. But they are very fair with every player. That’s great.”

Gael Monfils has played on the biggest courts in the world. But even as home favourites Auger-Aliassime squared off on Court Central, the bleachers surrounding Court 5 were packed to watch Monfils during his second-round win against Ilya Ivashka, providing a hair-raising atmosphere for the player.

“It’s an unbelievable feeling. I’m just saying it’s sometimes great to play on a smaller court with the crowd very close,” Monfils said. “We can feel their energy, the passion, the love in it. I love it, to be honest. It’s great.”

Dominic Thiem beat home favourite and 2017 semi-finalist Denis Shapovalov in the second round. And as you’d might expect, there was no shortage of energy in the crowd.

“For me there is nothing nicer than to play in front of a full stadium. I think it’s normal if you play a Canadian or if you play a local that the whole crowd is against you. I think you should accept it and still enjoy the atmosphere. That’s how I see it,” Thiem said. “But in general the crowd here is amazing. They love tennis. They are enjoying it [being] back after two years.”

Thomas Johansson retired long ago, but fans in Montreal certainly did not forget him, having won the title here in 1999. In fact, Johansson said that fans approached him around the grounds daily as he coached Belgian David Goffin.

“It’s one of the few places that when you walk around, people actually come up to me and say, ‘I remember the final. I remember that you won here in ‘99.’ Every time I come to Montreal, I almost feel like I’m at home,” Johansson said. “It’s a lot of fun because some people, they remember the matches, they don’t remember just the final.”

In a battle of contrasting styles between two of the most talented young stars on the ATP Tour, sixth seed Karen Khachanov and eighth seed Daniil Medvedev face off on Saturday in the Coupe Rogers semi-finals. Top seed and defending champion Rafael Nadal is also in the last four and will play No. 10 seed Roberto Bautista Agut or No. 16 seed Gael Monfils.

Khachanov and Medvedev’s match guarantees a Russian finalist in Canada for the first time since Marat Safin took the title at 2000 Toronto. It also marks the first-ever all-Russian semi-final at this event. Both men made history earlier this year by joining the Top 10 of the ATP Rankings together, Khachanov in June and Medvedev in July, marking the first time two Russians are in the Top 10 since October 2010.

Who will win the third @FedEx ATP Head2Head meeting between these players?

The series is tied 1-1. | #CoupeRogers

— ATP Tour (@ATP_Tour) August 10, 2019

“It’s never easy to play against a friend from the same country,” said Khachanov. “We’ve grown up together. We played all the tournaments since [age] 12 or 14. We know each other pretty well.

“It’s nice to make history. Still, it’s a long way [to go]. If we can make some records or make more history, it would be just great for us and great for the country, of course.”

Despite Khachanov’s banner season, he hadn’t reached a semi-final this year prior to arriving in Montreal. The 23-year-old stepped up in a brutal draw that saw him beat Stan Wawrinka, Felix Auger-Aliassime and third seed Alexander Zverev. When his lethal serve-and-forehand combination are firing, he’s a player that no one wants to face.

Medvedev’s season has provided a stark contrast to Khachanov’s in that he’s been a weekend staple. The eighth seed is competing in his eighth semi-final of the year (4-3) and has won 12 of his past 15 matches. The Russian counterpuncher has also scored four Top 10 wins this season, including a comprehensive quarter-final victory on Friday over Dominic Thiem. But with his FedEx ATP Head2Head rivalry with Khachanov tied 1-1, he looks to take the lead and move into his first Masters 1000 final.

”He’s from the same country and a good friend,” said Medvedev. “Of course, first we play for ourselves. I am sure that even if Karen wasn’t there, I could also be in the Top 10. But it’s a good competition between us two.”

Nadal awaits the winner of Friday’s rain-delayed quarter-final between Bautista Agut and Monfils. Regardless of who he plays, the Spaniard has history on his side. He leads his FedEx ATP Head2Head rivalry with Monfils 14-2 and has won their past six matches. Nadal hasn’t lost a set against Bautista Agut in their three previous meetings and only dropped seven games in their past five sets.

”I have been solid… happy with the way I am competing and enjoying,” said Nadal. “Let’s see tomorrow. Another opportunity to be in another final. Will be great if I am able to make that happen.”

Monfils leads his FedEx ATP Head2Head series with Bautista Agut 3-1, but the Spaniard won their latest meeting two years ago in Montreal. Bautista Agut is in the form of his life, having reached his maiden Grand Slam semi-final last month at Wimbledon, and is projected to crack the Top 10 of the ATP Rankings on Monday if he can defeat the Frenchman.

If Roger Federer is looking for a happy place to move beyond his near-miss at Wimbledon, then he need look no further than the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio. Home of the Western & Southern Open on the outskirts of Cincinnati, the event first held in 1899 is the Swiss legend’s most successful ATP Masters 1000 tournament.

The 38-year-old has won seven titles here, more than at any of the other eight Masters 1000 tournaments. Federer, who has spent a record 310 weeks at No. 1 in the ATP Rankings during his career, had his first practise in Cincinnati Friday, the same day the draw was made.

Set to play his first match since falling 13-12 in the fifth set to Novak Djokovic in the Wimbledon final, during which he held two match points, Federer resets his focus and begins his pursuit of his fourth title of the season.

A finalist last year in his first appearance for three years in Cincinnati, Federer next week will open against Italian Matteo Berrettini or Argentine Juan Ignacio Londero in the second round at the seventh Masters 1000 tournament of the year. He has not lost in his first match at this event since 2004, when he fell in three sets against Dominik Hrbaty.

The third seed is in the top half of the draw, where he may get another shot at last year’s champion Djokovic in the semi-finals. Djokovic and Rafael Nadal currently have a significant lead over Federer in the ATP Race to London, but a title in Cincinnati would elevate Federer into the conversation for the year-end World No. 1 ATP Ranking.

Federer has advanced to the final here in six of his past eight appearances, improving his record to 46-9. The Swiss star has earned 11 victories against opponents inside the Top 10 of the ATP Rankings in Cincinnati. He won the title in 2005, ’07, ’09-10, ’12, and ’14-’15.

Federer leads the ATP Tour with an 88.4 winning percentage (38-5) in 2019 , emerging victorious in Dubai, Miami and Halle. All of his losses came against players who are currently ranked in the Top 10.

Did You Know?
This is the 16th season in which Federer has earned at least three tour-level titles. The most trophies he has lifted in a single year is 12, which he accomplished in 2006.

How much do you know about the Western & Southern Open, the seventh ATP Masters 1000 tennis tournament of the 2019 season?

You may be aware that the Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic faced off in the 2018 final, and that the Big 4 – Federer, Rafael Nadal, Djokovic and Andy Murray – are all former champions. But do you know which of these players has successfully defended the title or who Andy Roddick defeated in the last all-American final? We test your knowledge in this quiz!

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