The men's and women's events in Ohio, the big stop leading into New York, where unseeded players came up trumps, ostensibly hit a palimpsest note. Borna Coric, who was ranked 152 at the start of the tournament, sidelined for a year with a right shoulder injury, won the men's title. The 25-year-old Croatian is the lowest-ranked player ever to win a Masters 1000. The women's winner was France's Caroline Garcia, the first qualifier ever to win a WTA 1000 title. Surprises aside there are promises of big strikes this fortnight. Medvedev, the wiry Russian, is in a five-way chase for the top spot in the rankings with Rafael Nadal being in pole position. Nadal, winner of the Australian and French Opens, is in pursuit of a fifth title in New York. The 36-year-old is not defending any points as he didn't play here last year. Medvedev, the world No. 1 along with the fourth-seeded Stefanos Tsitsipas, Carlos Alcaraz and Casper Ruud need deep runs to challenge the Spaniard.