Western & Southern Open 2022: Preview, live stream, schedule, and draw
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The USA’s oldest professional tennis tournament played in its city of origin takes centre stage next week as a list of tennis A-listers travel from far and wide to set up camp in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Established in 1889, the Western & Southern Open is held at the Lindner Family Tennis Center and has played host to over a centuries-worth of champions. From Ashleigh Barty and Serena Williams to Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, and Britain’s very own Andy Murray, the Cincinnati Open has welcomed more than 100 International Tennis Hall of Famers over its colourful, comprehensive history.
When is the Western & Southern Open 2022?
Qualifiers will run from Saturday 13 August to Sunday 14 August while the main draw will take place from Sunday 14 August to Sunday 21 August.
Which British players will be competing in the Western & Southern Open 2022?
The Southern & Western Open’s 2008 and 2011 champion, Andy Murray, will return to the Linder Family Tennis Center for the 17th time as he is slated to play the former world No.3 Stan Wawrinka in the opening round. Having defeated the likes of Nick Kygrios and Stefanos Tsitsipas to reach the final in Stuttgart earlier this year, could the former world No.1 produce a Murray special to achieve a third in Cincinnati?
Yet, Murray is not the only Brit looking to add another Masters title to his list of accolades as British No.1, Cam Norrie, has set his sights on joining his compatriot on the Open’s first-rate list of champions.
After finding victory in Indian Wells last year, Norrie already has a Masters title to his name, but could he make it a second? The Briton has played in the tournament’s main draw just twice in previous years, so will it be third time lucky for Norrie upon his return? All to play for at this year’s Western & Southern Open.
Joining Norrie will be this year’s Rothesay Open Nottingham champion, Dan Evans. The Birmingham-born star will head into the main draw in Cincinnati off the back of his successful run in Montreal where he continues to play after reaching the quarter-finals.
Alike Norrie, Evans will also enter the tournament for a third time this year as he sets his sights on what would be his first-ever Masters trophy.
Meanwhile, a familiar face returns to the States after making her mark in New York City last season; reigning US Open champion Emma Raducanu.
The 19-year-old is scheduled to make her maiden appearance at the Western & Southern Open ahead of her well-awaited return to the fourth and final Grand Slam of the year, while fellow Brit Harriet Dart enters qualifying for the first time.
Doubles
The doubles world No.1 Joe Salisbury is set to make his third appearance at the tournament alongside Rajeev Ram after exiting the quarter-finals last year, while former champion Jamie Murray returns after many successful years at the Cincinnati Masters, reaching three finals in nine appearances.
The two-time WImbledon Mixed Doubles champion, Neal Skupski, previously joined forces with Murray for two in three appearances at the tournament, but this year he enters with partner Wesley Koolhof whom he has won five titles with since partnering back in January. Meanwhile, Lloyd Glasspool is expected to make his debut following his win in Hamburg and impressive run in Croatia.
Who else is playing at the Western & Southern Open 2022?
Center Court at the Lindner Family Tennis Center holds many fond memories for the world No.1, Daniil Medvedev, after he won his first Masters tournament this time three years ago. Now, with 14 Tour-level titles under his belt, this season’s Mifel Tennis Open winner enters the tournament as top seed.
Seemingly a list of who’s who of tennis greats, the King of Clay Rafael Nadal also earns his place as second seed in the entry list, while fellow national, 19-year-old Carlos Alcaraz, makes his second appearance as the world No.4 after entering last year with a world ranking of 55.
This year’s Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios also joins the line-up as a wildcard following his win in Washington.
However, in the women’s, all eyes are on two women that have built a legacy that will never be broken: Serena and Venus Williams. Indicating that she could step away from what has been a glittering career after the US Open, Serena enters on protected ranking for one last rodeo in Cincinnati while Venus joins her sister as a wild card.
Six-time Tour-level champion, Poland’s Iga Swiatek, will also have all eyes on her as she tops the seedings since taking the world No.1 spot back in April.
Click here to see the player entry list in full.
Who are the Western & Southern Open reigning champions?
- Men’s singles – Alexander Zverev (GER)
- Men’s doubles – Marcel Granollers (ESP) & Horacio Zeballos (ARG)
- Women’s singles – Ashleigh Barty (AUS)
- Women’s doubles – Samantha Stosur (AUS) & Zhang Shuai (CHN)
When is the Western & Southern Open draw?
The big news from Friday's draw was that Raducanu will face Serena Williams in a blockbuster first round draw.
Meanwhile, Norrie has a tough opeing draw against world No.26 and Munich champion Holger Rune and Evans takes on cinch Championships runner-up Filip Krajinovic.
How to watch the Western & Southern Open 2022?
You can watch this year’s Western & Southern Open exclusively on Amazon Prime Sport.
