The US Open begins on Monday with a whopping 32 men’s matches on Day 1 of play. There is a ton of action around the grounds of the Billie Jean King Tennis Center, and our writers here at LWOT will share their thoughts on all of the matches with you. We split the 32 matches between eight articles. Our other articles feature Novak Djokovic vs Alexandre Muller, Taylor Fritz vs Steve Johnson, Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Milos Raonic, Dominic Thiem vs Alexander Bublik, Christopher Eubanks vs Soon-Woo Kwon, Casper Ruud vs Emilio Nava, and Tommy Paul vs Stefano Travaglia. Predicting this set of matches are Damian Kust, Shane Black, and Jordan Reynolds.
US Open Day 1 Men’s Predictions
Alejandro Davidovich Fokina vs Marcos Giron
Damian:
Giron’s frequently underestimated, and this isn’t as lopsided as people seem to think. Davidovich Fokina often struggles to piece his game together and has lost his fair share of matches he had no business losing on paper. Let’s say the talent gap becomes too much in four or five sets.
Prediction: Davidovich Fokina in 5
Shane:
No. 21 seed Alejandro Davidovich Fokina won five matches during the Masters swing earlier this month. He has played solid tennis over his last few Slams and should once again bring a high level to New York. Giron will throw some punches, but the Spaniard will raise his level when it matters most.
Prediction: Davidovich Fokina in 4
Jordan:
The Masters 1000 event in Toronto is where both these players will draw confidence. Giron had a good run to the last 16, while Davidovich Fokina went all the way to the semifinals. The Spaniard has more natural ability, but can be inconsistent. I think Giron will run him close in front of his home fans, but come up slightly short.
Prediction: Giron in 5
J.J. Wolf vs Zhizhen Zhang
Damian:
One of the best matches of the round? Maybe, but it also could be just an error-heavy mess. Both players should be dominant on serve and we’ll see who can keep themselves steadier and come up with decent shot selection. A slight edge to Wolf as he’s a bit less wild and loves playing in front of the home crowd.
Prediction: Wolf in 5
Shane:
Zhizhen Zhang bested J.J. Wolf in a three-set battle last year at the Tallahassee Challenger. I expect another tight contest between these two. Wolf, led by his powerful groundstrokes and backed by the home crowd, will find a way.
Prediction: Wolf in 5
Jordan:
Wolf lost in the opening rounds in Cincinnati and Toronto, but did have tough draws in both. He reached the quarterfinals in Washington before that, and in general plays well on American hard courts. Zhang had a great run to the semifinals on the clay in Hamburg, but has yet to produce since reverting back to hard courts. Wolf to take him out due to being more at ease with the conditions.
Prediction: Wolf in 4
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Sebastian Ofner vs Sebastian Borges
Damian:
That’s now four losses in a row for Ofner with the unbelievable choke in Kitzbuhel, but he didn’t look poor playing Michelsen in Winston-Salem last week. He’s still the favorite over Borges here, although it has to be said he has definitely slowed down since his first half of the year efforts.
Prediction: Ofner in 4
Shane:
Sebastian Ofner and Nuno Borges have dominated the Challenger ldvel this season. They will be playing for a lot more on Monday. Borges has lost his last six matches, and while Ofner does not have much better form, I trust his consistency in this spot.
Prediction: Ofner in 4
Jordan:
This is a great opportunity on paper for both players. Borges made the second round last year in his only previous US Open appearance. Ofner is making his debut in the Flushing Meadows main draw. The Austrian has more achievements on the ATP tour, but these were all on his favoured clay courts. In American conditions I give Borges a slight edge.
Prediction: Borges in 4
Novak Djokovic vs Alexandre Muller
Damian:
There are a few matches in the main draw that don’t seem even worth watching and this one is probably among them. Muller has generally been a bit exposed at the ATP level outside of Marrakech and while he has improved his hard-court game, it’s nowhere near the incredible level of the 23-time Grand Slam champion and recent Cincinnati champion.
Prediction: Djokovic in 3
Shane:
Novak Djokovic gets his 2023 US Open campaign started against 26-year-old Frenchman Alexandre Muller. Djokovic will be locked in from the get-go. He is on a mission these next two weeks in New York.
Prediction: Djokovic in 3
Jordan:
There has been much media coverage of Djokovic getting what is generally viewed as the easier side of the draw. This first round on paper does little to disprove that. Muller is currently on a run of six defeats in a row. It would be one of the biggest upsets in Grand Slam history if he won. The 23-time Grand Slam champion is rarely at his best in the early rounds, and plays himself into form. He should do that with ease here.
Prediction: Djokovic in 3
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports
