The 2019 Cincinnati Masters has only just begun, but there’s already so much to talk about. Granted, much of that talk has been about who is out of the tournament.
This year’s tournament was potentially a much-awaited reunion of the Big Four — Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, and Andy Murray. But after just one round, only half of those four remain in contention.
And on the women’s side, there’s already been one major withdrawal with another one possibly coming soon as Serena Williams’ status remains up in the air.
Allow SBOBET to get you all caught up with the latest happenings around the Cincinnati Masters before the tournament really gets going.
Andy Murray loses singles comeback
Andy Murray made his much-awaited return to singles competition in Cincinnati after seven months out due to hip resurfacing surgery. Unfortunately, the former World No. 1 fell at his first hurdle as he was ousted in the first round by Richard Gasquet in straight sets.
“I think I did okay. I think there were a lot of things I would like to have done better in the match, but you also have to be somewhat realistic, in terms of what you can expect,” Murray said.
Murray also mentioned that while he didn’t have issues with his hip, he did have some trouble reacting in time to Gasquet’s shots, which is understandable considering his lengthy layoff.
Murray, who hadn’t played a singles match since the Australian Open, had previously been easing his way back into the court by playing in doubles and mixed doubles. He even teamed up with Serena Williams to play mixed doubles at Wimbledon. But despite those matches, he was clearly still well short of his past form.
After the match, Murray also announced that he won’t play singles at the US Open, opting instead to resume playing doubles.
The Brit still has a long way to go in order to make it back to the top. There’s no guarantee he can even return to his past greatness given his age and his surgically-repaired hip. But still, it’s good to see Murray back on the court, and he will continue to work hard until he’s back to the best he can be.
Rafael Nadal withdraws after Rogers Cup win
While Murray lasted just one match in Cincinnati, Rafael Nadal won’t even play at all. That’s because the Spaniard has decided to pull out of the Western & Southern Open, citing fatigue following his Rogers Cup triumph.
Fellow Rogers Cup champion Bianca Andreescu also withdrew from the tournament after a change in her schedule.
Nadal dominated Daniil Medvedev in the final to claim his fifth career title in Canada and his first successful defence of that title. The Spaniard was relatively fresh for that final after semi-final opponent Gael Monfils withdrew due to an ankle injury.
Andreescu was also aided by an injury to her opponent after Serena Williams lasted just four games into the final before pulling out due to back spasms.
With that win in Canada, Nadal had pulled to within one “Big Title” — a Grand Slam or an ATP Masters 1000 tournament — of matching both Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer’s total of 54.
But while Djokovic and Federer will be favourites in the Cincinnati Masters 2019 bettings odds, Nadal will have to wait until the US Open at the end of the month for his next crack at a “Big Title.”
Serena Williams still aiming to play despite bad back
Williams was unable to continue in the Rogers Cup final against Andreescu due to her back, but the 37-year-old believes there’s still a chance she can compete in the Cincinnati Masters.
Serena explained that she’s experienced this sort of injury in the past, and it usually lasts just a few days and then it’s gone.
“Yeah, it started yesterday in my match and it just got worse. Just my whole back just completely spasmed,” she said. “That’s the most frustrating part is that, I mean, I’ve had this before and it’s, like, 24, 36 hours where I’m just in crazy spasm and then it’s, like, gone.
“So I do different treatments. I take a day off. But obviously, I didn’t have 24 hours or plus to take off. As of now, I’m going to go to see what happens,” she said.
Williams is a two-time winner of the Cincinnati Masters. She went to the finals three consecutive years from 2013-15. But she was knocked out in the second round of last year’s tournament after a two-year absence.
Serena is currently slated to face Zarina Diyas in the first round. Keep a close eye on Cincinnati Masters 2019 updates regarding Williams’ status for that match.
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