Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal (Photo : Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray have better chances of winning the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati, with defending champion Roger Federer and world No. 1 Novak Djokovic out of competition.
Nadal and Murray, two of the notable competitors in the men's singles category at the 2016 Rio Olympics, are primed to conquer the ATP Masters 1000 Cincinnati, with Federer and Djokovic missing in action.
Federer was forced to skip the remainder of the season after the Swiss Maestro re-injured his surgically repaired left knee at Wimbledon, while Djokovic won't play until the US Open after suffering a left wrist injury in Rio. With both players sidelined, Nadal and Murray have a better chance of winning the tournament and gaining momentum ahead of the remaining Grand Slam event in New York.
Nadal, who won a Gold Medal in the men's doubles category, fell short of winning one in singles competition after losing to Juan Martin del Potro before draining himself out against Kei Nishikori for a third place finish.
But despite the shortcomings, Nadal's' impressive run at the Rio Olympics gained him the much-needed boost after being sidelined for more than two months by a left wrist injury suffered at Roland Garros in May.
"...without a doubt, it's been a positive week in all aspects -- I've played for many hours and the wrist at least didn't get worse," Nadal said, reports ESPN.
Murray, on the other hand, has been enjoying a remarkable winning streak that started after losing to Djokovic at the French Open final. After winning his third Grand Slam singles title at Wimbledon, the world No. 2 continued his success by winning a second Gold Medal at the Olympic Games.
Murray will attempt for a third Cincinnati Masters title this week, but the Scot admitted his next big goal is a victory at the US Open, hoping to cap off an amazing season in winning fashion.
"Novak has played amazing tennis. What I have done for four months, he has done the whole year. The US Open is the next big goal, I've played in all the Grand Slam finals [this year] and I will try and have a good run there," Murray said, reports the Evening Standard.
Murray, who enters the tournament as top seed, could open against either Ivo Karlovic or Juan Monaco, while the third-seeded Nadal could face Pablo Cuevas of Uruguay or American Sam Querrey.
