Alexander Zverev vs Karen Khachanov Prediction & Picks - ATP Cincinnati Open

Prediction published on 8/15/24, 7:29 AM  by Tyler Doty in ATP Cincinnati Open Picks

In his quest for a second title this season, Germany's Alexander Zverev kicks off his Cincinnati Masters 1000 on Wednesday against Russia's Khachanov.

Since his defeat in the final of the French Open in June, Alexander Zverev still seems to be brooding over this setback. The German is less sharp, but still very solid, with a final in Hamburg, a semi-final in Halle and a round of 16 at Wimbledon. But his lack of gnac is showing, and his recent performances have lacked the killer instinct. Having been knocked out in the quarter-finals at the Olympic Games, where he was one of the favorites, and then at the same stage last week in Montreal, the world No. 4 is expected to relaunch his career this week in Cincinnati. But there's no waiting around for the German tennis player, who faces Karen Khachanov in the first round.

The Russian isn't playing his best tennis in 2024 and has even slipped down the rankings, being ejected from the world's top 20. Having arrived in Cincinnati with doubts following 4 first-round exits in 6 tournaments and a second-round exit last week in Montreal, Karen Khachanov negotiated his entry into the tournament well on Monday with an authoritative victory over Argentina's Francisco Cerundolo that launched him well into this Masters 1000.