I’m delighted to be able to share some photos this week from Omar Boraby, a photographer who is working at the tournament in Cincinnati this week.  Many thanks to Omar for contributing some photos to Moo’s Tennis Blog.  It’s very exciting (for me at least!) because this is the first ever time we’ve had professional photos on the blog.  You can see more of Omar’s work on his official website HERE.  I’ll be using Omar’s photos for the rest of the week  🙂

1. Sloane Stephens v Jelena Jankovic (WTA Cincy, R3)

You never quite know what you’re going to get from Sloane Stephens.  In Cincy, it has been a good week for the American.  In the first round, Sloane defeated Andrea Petkovic, 6-3 6-3.  It was Sloane’s third consecutive win over Petko and I think it was a tough match for the German player, who had been ill the week before.  Illnesses suck the energy out of you.  Petkovic has taken a wildcard into New Haven next week.  You can see some photos from that match below.

All photos taken by Omar Boraby

In the second round, Sloane needed one tight and one easy set to overcome, Barbora Zahlavova Strycova, 7-5 6-1.  Sloane now faces a rematch with Jelena Jankovic, who she played in Montreal.  JJ beat Annika Beck, 6-1 7-6(0) in the second round of Cincy.  Jelena and Sloane fought out a three set thriller in Canada, lasting three hours and 15 minutes.  It’s a real shame this match is on an unstreamed court.  Sloane is playing some of the best tennis of her year so far, but it will be tough for her to overturn last week’s loss.  JJ has a few more matches under her belt and has always done well in Cincy.  I’ve realised that i’ve gone for a lot of three setters on Thursday… but all these matches look like three setters!

Prediction: Jankovic d. Stephens in 3 sets

WTA Cincy 3rd Round Predictions

Serena Williams d. Flavia Pennetta in 2 sets: I was gutted that Taylor Townsend didn’t win last night because Serena v Taylor would have been awesome.  Townsend played some brilliant points, but it was a really solid display from Pennetta.  Serena beat Sam Stosur in two tiebreak sets.  It was the best WTA match of the week by a mile.  I’d take Serena in straight sets.

Agnieszka Radwanska d. Sabine Lisicki in 2 sets (1 tight, 1 easy): Sabine defeating Errani was one of her best wins of the year (performance aside) as she struggled to hold onto her serve at the end of the third set and I really did think Sara would come through at the end.  If her serve is erratic as it sounded against Errani, Aga should come through.

Ana Ivanovic d. Svetlana Kuznetsova in 2 tight sets: Kuznetsova has been in great form, but could be tired after back-to-back three setters.  She won DC, but pulled out of Montreal last week with an injury.  Ivanovic has been struggling with an injury, but hasn’t been tested much in her first two matches.  Ivanovic dominates the H2H with Kuznetsova so if she’s fit and healthy, she will be the favourite to come through.

Carla Suarez Navarro d. Elina Svitolina in 3 sets: This is bound to be a close match.  CSN reached the quarters in Montreal and this is another great opportunity for her in Cincy.

ATP Cincy 3rd Round Predictions

Novak Djokovic d. Tommy Robredo in 2 sets

David Ferrer d. Mikhail Youzhny in 2 tight sets

Marin Cilic d. Stan Wawrinka in 2 tight sets

Jerzy Janowicz d. Julien Benneteau in 2 tight sets

Milos Raonic d. Steve Johnson in 2 tiebreak sets

Fabio Fognini d. Yen-Hsun Lu in 3 sets

Andy Murray d. John Isner in 3 tight sets

Gael Monfils d. Roger Federer in 3 sets