Western and Southern Open Preview

Tennis returns to Cincinnati starting this weekend with the Men's and Women's Qualifier beginning tomorrow and the actual Western and Southern Open beginning Monday. The Cincinnati tournament has become a staple for big name players on both the men's and women's sides. All of the top twenty-five players in the world of both genders are expected to compete in the tournament.

Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Serena Williams headline the group. Federer and Williams are considered two of the best tennis players in the history of the game. Djokovic has proven to be the best singles player in the world in 2013. He won the Australian Open back in January along with the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters and the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. 

Djokovic will have some trouble winning in Cincinnati with the past successes of Federer at the tournament. Federer has won the tournament in three of the past four years. This year's Wimbledon winner Andy Murray won in 2008 and 2011, but Djokovic has come close with appearances in four of the past five finals. Don't discount fifth ranked Rafael Nadal in Cincinnati either. Nadal has six tournament top finishes this year, including a victory at Roland Garros. John Isner and Mardy Fish are a couple of dark horse candidates to advance to the later rounds of the tournament on the men's side.

Surprisingly, Serena Williams has never won in Cincinnati and has never even been to the finals. The Cincinnati tournament is great preparation for both the men and women for the US Open in New York later in August, so Williams will look to go on a hot streak starting this week. Maria Sharapova, who is Serena Williams' chief rival, has a track record of success at the Western and Southern Open with two out of the last three finals appearances. Sharapova won the tournament in 2011. Li Na, the sixth ranked player in the world, won the tournament last year. Williams won the French Open in June along with the Swedish Open in July, so she looks to capitalize on the opportunity to win her first August tournament. 

Second ranked Victoria Azarenka won the Australian Open earlier this year and could make a run, but a few lower seeds such as Caroline Wozniacki and Venus Williams may shock the rest of the field. The tournament should be very competitive this year with no dominant tennis star on the circuit in 2013. The tournament could provide some major surprises for Cincinnati fans as it seems nobody besides Federer has been able to truly take charge of the competition in the recent past.  

Rich Hidy
Cincy Sports Spot