Monfils, McNally & more: 5 things to watch Thursday in Cincy

By Grant Thompson

The opening day of Cincinnati Open main-draw action features a loaded schedule, headlined by Gael Monfils beginning his final appearance in Mason and home favorite Caty McNally competing under the lights.

Here are five things to watch on Thursday:

Monfils begins Cincinnati farewell

Making his 14th and final appearance in Mason, Monfils will open the evening session on P&G Stadium Court against Australian Rinky Hijikata. Turning 40 on September 1, the Frenchman is set to retire at the end of this season. The former No. 6 reached the Cincinnati quarter-finals in 2011 and during his last visit in 2024, Monfils earned a memorable three-set victory against Carlos Alcaraz.

Home hope McNally closes evening

“I’m just a girl from the 513 and I love to support my hometown,” said the Cincinnati-born Caty McNally before the tournament. McNally, 24, reached a career-high No. 50 in the PIF WTA Rankings two months ago and now returns to her home tournament for the sixth time. Slated in the evening session following Monfils’ match, McNally will face fellow American McCartney Kessler, a rematch of a second-round clash last year won by Kessler.

Last year’s surprise semi-finalist Atmane

French lefty Terence Atmane enjoyed one of his career-best runs last year in Cincinnati, reaching his first ATP Tour semi-final as a qualifier. The 24-year-old downed the likes of Flavio Cobolli, Joao Fonseca, Taylor Fritz and Holger Rune en route to the last four. “I don’t think any words can describe how I feel right now,” Atmane said at the time. A fearless shotmaker with a flair for improvisation, Atmane will look to rekindle that run with his electric style. He plays Marton Fucsovics on Thursday.

Americans in action

In addition to McNally and Kessler, there are several American players to watch throughout an action-packed day. Taylor Townsend meets Colombia’s Camila Osorio on the newly named Tony Trabert Stadium 3. Ashlyn Krueger faces last year’s Roland Garros semi-finalist Lois Boisson. Wild card Caroline Dolehide battles Diane Parry. On Grandstand, Katie Volynets plays Katie Boulter to open the evening session, followed by Zachary Svajda’s match against Mattia Bellucci.

ATP Masters 1000 champions Draper, Norrie

Former World No. 4 Jack Draper opens his campaign on P&G Stadium Court against 20-year-old Spaniard Martin Landaluce. Draper, who won the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells last year, is seeking his ninth match win in an injury-plagued season. Draper’s countryman Cameron Norrie lifted the Indian Wells trophy in 2021 for his first ATP Masters 1000 crown. Fresh off a fourth-round run in Montreal, the lefty faces Croatian Dino Prizmic, with the winner to meet top seed Alexander Zverev in the second round.