An unexpected final takes place in the men’s doubles event at the Cincinnati Masters ATP 1000 on Monday. Local wildcards Mackenzie McDonald and Alex Michelsen have produced an unlikely run all the way to the final, and take on seasoned experts Marcelo Arevalo and Mate Pavic in the final.
Can the Americans continue their fairytale run in Ohio?
Also, don’t miss our previews on the men’s final Sinner v Tiafoe and the WTA title match in Cincinnati, Sabalenka vs Pegula.
McDonald/Michelsen vs Arevalo/Pavic Odds
Here’s what tennis bookmakers have to say about Monday’s big match:
- McDonald/Michelsen to win @ 3.25 (+225)
- Arevalo/Pavic to win @ 1.33 (-300)
Arevalo and Pavic are well ahead in the Cincinnati men’s doubles final odds, with the duo paying just 1.33 (-300) to win. McDonald and Michelsen are strong underdogs at 3.25 (+225), but equally aren’t entirely out of the conversation. A handicap of -2.5 is given to the fourth seeds at 1.80 (-125), while McDonald/Michelsen are at the same to cover the spread. Bookies don’t expect to see a match tiebreaker, with a 2-0 result to Arevalo/Pavic the most likely result at 2.00 (+100).
Recent Form
Mackenzie McDonald and Alex Michelsen
McDonald and Michelsen have been giantslayers this week. First they took down big singles names Holger Rune and Stefanos Tsitsipas, ousting the star-studded duo in a third-set breaker (3-6, 6-3, 10-5). Then, they were gifted a walkover against Aussie pairing and eighth seeds Max Purcell and Jordan Thomspon, putting them straight into the quarter-finals.
There, they faced third seeds Rajeev Ram and Joe Salisbury, taking out the legendary duo 6-3, 5-7, 11-9 in an epic. They followed up their heroics with even more clutch play in the semi-finals, eliminating top seeds Marcos Granollers and Horacio Zeballos 7-6, (8), 7-6 (9) to book their spot in the final.
Marcelo Arevalo and Mate Pavic
Arevalo and Pavic have also played just the three matches to get to the Cincinnati final, receiving a bye in the first round. They began against Alexander Zverev and Marcelo Melo, seeing them off 6-3, 7-6 (2). Seventh seeds Harri Heliovaara and Henry Patten were next, with Arevalo and Pavic untroubled as they moved into the final four 6-2, 6-4.
In the semi-finals, however, they were properly tested. They came through a tough encounter against Ivan Dodig and Jamie Murray, edging the veterans 6-7 (6), 7-6 (3), 10-5 for yet another doubles final.
Our Cincinnati Men’s Doubles Final Prediction and Betting Tips
This final is a classic case of red-hot underdogs vs experienced favorites. Go with your heart and back the underdogs to keep their momentum going, or go with your head and favor the sensible option?
Unfortunately, we’re going to be boring here and stick with Arevalo and Pavic for this one. Both Arevalo and Pavic are regular top 10 doubles players, with three titles between them already this year, including the French Open. McDonald and Michelsen, on the other hand, have only played together once this season, and neither have been inside the world’s top 40 for doubles.
The fourth seeds are simply too clinical of a pairing, while their opponents are punching well above their weight.
Our prediction: Arevalo and Pavic in three sets.
Credit where credit is due: McDonald and Michelsen have been on a hot run this week. We say they’ll play freely and potentially take a set from Arevalo and Pavic.
- Arevalo/Pavic to win @ 1.33 (-300)
- Three sets total @ 2.37 (+137)
- Arevalo/Pavic to win in three sets @ 3.75 (+275)
Have a hot take on how you think this one will go down? Let us know in the comments, or, head over to our tennis betting page to make a wager of your own.
