A spot in the next round is at stake on Friday, when Sinja Kraus goes up against Sloane Stephens in the Cincinnati first round. Sinja Kraus has won 4 of the last 10. Sloane Stephens is 3-7 across recent matches.

On paper it's close: comparable ratings, comparable serve numbers, small margins everywhere. Little separates them; Kraus gets the nod on the finest of margins.