The competition has been moved to New York City this year because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Matches are set to take place at the Billie Jean King Tennis Centre, with players located in a bubble to reduce the risk of COVID-19.

Competition will precede the US Open at the same venue, with the second major of the disrupted season beginning on August 31.

Men’s top seed Novak Djokovic will look to underline his status as US Open favourite, with the Serbian star expected to face competition in the Cincinnati Masters from Austria’s Dominic Thiem and defending champion Daniil Medvedev of Russia.

The top eight seeds were awarded a bye into the second round of the tournament, but the opening day will feature an interesting clash between rising Canadian star Denis Shapovalov and 2014 US Open champion Marin Cilic of Croatia.

Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime will face Georgia’s Nikoloz Basilashvili in another first round match, while Britain’s Andy Murray will compete on the ATP Tour for the first time since winning the European Open in Antwerp last October.

Murray will face American Frances Tiafoe, with the two wildcards seeking to set up a second round tie against fifth seed Alexander Zverev of Germany.

The women’s singles field has been depleted by the loss of several players, with six of the top 10 ranked players opting not to travel to play at the US Open.

World number three Karolína Plíšková is the top ranked player to make the trip and will begin the Cincinnati Masters as the top seed.

The 28-year-old will be eyeing a maiden Grand Slam title in the coming weeks, having finished as the runner-up at the 2016 US Open.

This year’s Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin is seeded second, while Serena Williams and Japan’s Naomi Osaka complete the top four seeds.

Williams is currently one Grand Slam title behind Margaret Court’s record of 24.

She will hope to use the Cincinnati Masters as key preparation to matching Court’s feat at the US Open.