The US Open is just around the corner but before that the likes of Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Andy Murray looking for a successful ATP Cincinnati Masters campaign.
So, can Novak Djokovic be beaten this summer?
Back-to-back Masters events are always incredibly tough and no one has won Montreal and Cincinnati in the same year since Roger Federer in his pomp.
However, Djokovic will be keen to maintain his current aura of invincibility going into the US Open and he's already achieved similar feats twice this year, winning Indian Wells and Miami and then Rome and Madrid.
The Serb did look ever so slightly vulnerable during the Montreal final and if Mardy Fish had been at his best, who knows what could have happened. Fish's wait for that first Masters 1000 title goes on but it was still a very confidence boosting week for the American who is starting to truly believe he belongs in the top ten. He made the Cincinnati final last year and should reach the quarters this time round where he could face Rafael Nadal.
Nadal's loss to Ivan Dodig last week from a seemingly imperious position stunned players and fans alike. Even Dodig himself wasn't quite sure what to make of it. Nadal is quite rusty and he badly needs some matches this week but he's definitely vulnerable in these hard court events and his record in Cincinnati is not great, he's never even made the final.
Roger Federer was another star suffering the blues last week, ultimately folding fairly meekly to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the third round. It's not the way Federer would have wanted to celebrate turning 30 but Cincinnati is a happier hunting ground for him. He's won this event for the past two years (and four times in total) but his draw is about as bad as it gets with Juan Martin Del Potro awaiting him over the next few days.
Andy Murray also will not be overjoyed with his luck. He could have the dangerous David Nalbandian in round two and then Tsonga after that, though the Frenchman is still not 100% fit after retiring in the Montreal semi-finals.
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