Daniil Medvedev vs David Goffin - Cincinnati Open Finals Preview & Prediction

After a week of competitive matches featuring some of the best men's tennis players on the planet, we have finally reached the titular clash. This match tonight between Russia's Medvedev and Belgium's David Goffin was highly unexpected and never predicted by the tennis pundits.

This year's Cincinnati Open was exciting as well as surprising for the fans. The Big Four reunion of Federer, Nadal, Djokovic, and Murray was spoiled as Nadal pulled out to take adequate rest before the US Open beginning on August 26. 

Murray made a much-hyped comeback and lost to Gasquet in straight sets. The likes of grand slam champions such as Cilic and Wawrinka bowed out early while Nishioka stunned his countryman - the World Number 5 - Nishikori in straight sets. Kyrgios suffered a meltdown and crashed out getting a humongous $113,000 fine. 

Thiem and Fognini pulled out while talented next-gen players like Zverev, Tsitsipas and Felix Auger crashed out. Rublev stunned the GOAT Federer 6-3 6-4 in just 62 minutes announcing his name on the bigger stage. It was normal business for Djokovic unless he ran into the marathon man - Medvedev who edged him 3-6 6-3 6-3 in the semi-finals ensuring that Djokovic will not defend his title. 

The Frenchman Gasquet impressed everyone beating great players like Murray, Schwartzman, Agut with his spectacular comeback reaching the semi-finals. However, Goffin was too good beating him 6-3 6-4 in straight sets ending his dream run.

Coming to the final, Medvedev has been in beast mode reaching his third consecutive final after his runner-up finishes in Washington Open and Rogers Cup. He will be hoping to get third time lucky in clinching the much-coveted title. A triumph will add more confidence to him ahead of the US Open.

David Goffin has played some good tennis this year winning the Qatar Open men's doubles partnering Herbert, runner-up in the Halle Open where he lost to Federer, semi-final finish in the Marseille Open and Estoril Open, quarterfinal show in the Rosmalen Grass Court Championships and Wimbledon.
He has not won any singles title this year and will be going all out to grab the cup this time. 

Not much separate Medvedev and Goffin with their head to head record tied at 1-1. Medvedev blitzed past him in straight sets in Australian Open. Goffin got his revenge in a narrow five-set win against Medvedev in Wimbledon.

The baseline game of both players is just electric to watch as they never commit any mistakes leaving no room for the opponent to counter-punch. Medvedev's clever strategy of pinning down his opponent in longer players might have worked well so far but Goffin loves playing longer rallies and suddenly transforms into an attacking player. The match will be decided between Medvedev's remarkable consistency and Goffin's fighting spirit.

History is in store for both the players regardless of their outcome. It takes a lot of focus and resilience to come out on triumphs in an ATP Masters 1000 tournament with the best players in the business competing and giving it their all. Medvedev holds a slight edge with his form and experience but will fatigue catch up with him can be known only when the match progresses. Medvedev will be the tired one as he has won his 15th match in 19 days.

 Goffin will be fresher having received a walkover in his quarterfinal match against Nishioka and won in straight sets in the semis against Gasquet.

Both Medvedev and Goffin have lost only a single set in this tournament to Djokovic and Fritz respectively.

A statistical comparison of Medvedev and Goffin in this tournament ahead of the final

Prediction

Daniil Medvedev to win in three sets