The first full day of the main draw offers a schedule and an event filled with wonders and curiosities. How will young Canadian Milos Raonic, who won the all-Canadian final in DC and reached the Quarters in Toronto, handle his ascent to the upper ranks this year? And what of the newly crowded Rogers Cup champion Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, powerfully fit and seemingly more level-headed and ready to seize some of the glory long assumed to be his for the taking? Of course, there is always Mr. Roger Federer, the finalist in Toronto who lost out to Tsonga and resurgently proud papa of a second set of twins, who is never out of the conversation.

As I say each year, the Western & Southern Open serves as the best primer and scouting tournament for the rich pageantry and drama of the year’s final Grand Slam, The US Open. Cincinnati provides insight into the games and preparation of the hopefuls seeking to lay claim to the final piece of major hardware, especially in a season like 2014, which has seen three different men assume the thrones at the other Slams. This year, the US Open could be the one ring to bind them all, and the Western & Southern Open looks like a warm-up battle for the ages.

Stay tuned. (tt stern-enzi)