Questions are being requested concerning the ATP Tour‘s brutal scheduling after Alexei Popyrin crashed out within the first spherical of the Cincinnati Masters on Wednesday, simply 48 hours after profitable in Montreal for the largest triumph of his profession. Popyrin turned the primary Australian man to win a Masters 1000 title in 21 years on Monday when he stormed to the title in Montreal.
However simply 48 hours later, he bombed out of Cincinnati within the first spherical with a 7-5 6-3 loss to veteran Frenchman Gael Monfils. The 25-year-old has loved a breakout 12 months and has now risen to World No.23 on the again of his Montreal title.
And though organisers provide the winner of Montreal a personal jet to get to the Cincinnati Masters in time, the Aussie was nonetheless feeling the results and was clearly fatigued on Wednesday. The truth that two Masters 1000 occasions happen inside two days of one another has raised eyebrows within the tennis neighborhood.
It isn’t a brand new challenge, however its reared its ugly head due to the state of affairs with Popyrin. Since 1995, solely 4 gamers have managed to do the Montreal-Cincinnati double by profitable each titles. Andre Agassi did it in 1995, as did Pat Rafter in 1998, Andy Roddick in 2003 and Rafa Nadal in 2013. Rafter, Roddick and Nadal all went on to win the US Open after attaining the Montreal-Cincinnati double.
However no one has managed to go back-to-back within the final 11 years, and the destiny of the Montreal winners makes for some grim studying. Throughout that span, Alexader Zverev (2017), Pablo Carreno Busta (2022), Jannik Sinner (2023) and Popyrin (2024) all misplaced within the first spherical of Cincinnati after profitable Montreal.
Novak Djokovic withdrew from Cincinnati in 2016, as did Nadal in 2018 and 2019. The one Montreal champion to realize some semblance of success in Cincinnati was Daniil Medvedev in 2021 when he made the semis of the latter event. The state of affairs round Popyrin led many to query the scheduling, with some labelling it “merciless” and “unfair” to have two 1000 occasions so shut collectively.
There ought to be per week’s relaxation between Canada and Cincy, this isn’t honest to the Canada champ
— Bastien Fachan (@BastienFachan) August 14, 2024
That Canada to Cincinnati turnaround is brutal. Too good from Monf, although
— Alva, SHAMELESS NBA Burner (@NBABurner247) August 14, 2024
Dunno why Popy even performed this event contemplating how burnt out he would’ve been.
— GOATSTRI (@Gayyivan) August 14, 2024
I imply profitable a masters title after which instantly play a pair days later is merciless
— tonio (@ANTONIOEESPARZA) August 14, 2024
They’re scheduled too shut collectively! It is ridiculous. Gamers are human, they want a little bit of down time and restoration time.
— egrrrrl (@egrrrrl8446) August 14, 2024
Will likely be attention-grabbing 🤨 to see how the outcomes play out subsequent yr, when each go to 12 day tournaments 🏟️ just like the sunshine ☀️ double
— Brad Gilbert (@bgtennisnation) August 14, 2024
Max Purcell and Jannik Sinner advance at Cincinnati Masters
In the meantime, there was higher information for Popyrin’s fellow Aussie Max Purcell, who joined compatriot Jordan Thompson within the second spherical with a 6-4 7-6 (7-1) win over Czech participant Tomas Machac. And World No.1 Sinner progressed with a 6-4 7-5 win over Alex Michelsen.
Sinner misplaced within the quarters in Montreal after opting to not play on the Paris Olympics, however has bounced again and disregarded considerations he is injured. The Italian saved all eight break factors he confronted towards the American qualifier.
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Sinner will both meet Thompson or Argentine Sebastian Baez for a spot within the quarters. Sinner has reached the ultimate eight in any respect 5 earlier ATP Masters 1000s he has performed this season, however has by no means superior to the quarters in Cincinnati.
“It was a troublesome match,” stated Sinner, who improved to 25-2 on laborious courts this season. “I am very glad to be within the subsequent spherical. For me it is a place the place I used to battle lots previously years, so let’s examine what I can do that time.”
with AAP
