Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner are back on the ATP Tour at the Cincinnati Open as they start their preparation for the US Open.
Alcaraz and Sinner missed the Canadian Open, with neither player appearing at a tournament since the Wimbledon final.
The top two players in the world returning to the tour is big news and there have been plenty of eyes on their respective draws at the Cincinnati Open.
Fans are adamant Sinner has been handed a kinder draw than Alcaraz at the latest ATP 1000 tournament.
Fans believe Jannik Sinner’s Cincinnati Open draw is ‘easier’ than Carlos Alcaraz’s
Fans believe Sinner’s draw is incredibly kind, with most expecting the World No. 1 to reach the final with ease.
Sinner will likely not play a top 10 player until the quarterfinals, where it’s possible he plays Lorenzo Musetti.
“This is the easiest draw one could get,” said one fan on X, and they were not in the minority. “This draw is a joke,” said another. “How is Sinner always having the easiest draw?”
Alternatively, fans think Alcaraz has been handed the tougher side of the draw with a likely match with Jakub Mensik in round four to come.
“Not an easy draw this time while it’s easier for Jannik,” said one fan on X. Another said: “Tough draw for Carlos, but Jannik has again a carewalk to the final.”
The Cincinnati Open begins on August 7 and runs for 11 days up until the final on August 18.
Which players could shock Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner?
As the best two players in the world, Sinner and Alcaraz are expected to set up yet another final in Cincinnati.
However, there are a number of players who could prove tricky to the Italian and Spaniard.
Mensik could be tricky for Alcaraz, but the Spaniard could also have to play Alex de Minaur fresh from his Washington Open victory.
He could also come up against Ben Shelton, who is looking to usurp Novak Djokovic in the ATP Tour rankings in Cincinnati.
As for the World No. 1 , Tommy Paul will be looking to cause an upset in front of a home crowd in the fourth round.
He’ll also likely play Casper Ruud in the quarter-finals and Taylor Fritz in the semi-finals, so it won’t be easy for Sinner.