Cinci preview by Kate Flory

Next week is the last time Lleyton will compete before the US Open. The
world number 5, currently suffering a loss of form, needs all the matches he
can get under his belt in Cincinnati, before heading into the 4th and final
Grand Slam of the Year.

Unfortunately Lleyton has once again suffered with his draw, and will have
to overcome a strong line up of players to impress. First up is Xavier
Malisse. Lleyton leads the head to heads 2-0, but they have not played in
two years, and the colourful Belgian has improved a lot since then. But
Malisse, like Lleyton, has struggled a bit this year, and lost in the first
round last week to Andy Roddick. So this will be a tough match for both
players, but hopefully Lleyton will have more mentally to see him through
the match.

The second round is guaranteed to throw up a tricky match for Lleyton. He
will face either American Mardy Fish, or compatriot Mark Philippoussis.
Mardy Fish could have the edge over Philippoussis, depending on how well
the Australian has recovered from influenza, which kept him from competing
in Montreal last week. But, if Mark is fully fit, he will be a tough test for Lleyton.
He has had a great year since coming back from injury, with the Wimbledon final
clearly the highlight. The two are playing doubles together, as they have
done many times throughout the year, and so know each other's games inside
out.

If Lleyton should progress through to the 3rd round, he would be seeded to
meet Jiri Novak of the Czech Republic, but Greg Rusedski also lurks in that
section on the draw. Against Jiri Novak, Lleyton has the most convincing of
records, having a 5-0 lead, but the record against the Briton doesn't make for
such nice reading -  the match up here is 3 all .The big serving Rusedski won
their last meeting this time last year at Indianapolis. If Lleyton were to play Greg,
he would need to return much better than he did against Mirnyi last week in Montreal.

If all goes to seeding, Lleyton should meet, and lose to, Wimbledon Champion
Roger Federer in the quarter finals. The Swiss is playing the best tennis of
his life, but does not have the best record against Lleyton. Lleyton has a
6-2 lead over Federer, all of them tight matches though. While the Swiss has
a beautiful game, previously he has struggled mentally against Lleyton. But
being Wimbledon champion has done wonders for Federer, mentally it would
seem, and so Lleyton would face a much sterner test this time, if they
should so meet.

It is the seventh Masters Series of the year, and most of the big names are
there. Let's hope that Lleyton will still figure in the latter stages of
this key tournament to give him the confidence he needs before the US open.