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
Felix Auger-Aliassime vs Mackenzie McDonald
Damian:
Another pretty tricky draw for Auger-Aliassime with McDonald picking up a ton of good wins over the summer. Feels like at this stage of their careers, this actually puts them in a fairly even spot. It’s absolutely vital for the Canadian to come out on top here, but whether he will actually do it? No idea.
Prediction: McDonald in 5
Shane:
Felix Auger-Aliassime has had a disaster of a season. A year after winning 60 matches, he has posted just 14 wins in 2023. On the flip side, Mackenzie McDonald is having the best season of his career. The American brings a high level of confidence to this event and is poised for an upset.
Prediction: McDonald in 4
Jordan:
This is a fascinating matchup. Last season this was a comfortable win for Auger-Aliassime on paper. But the Canadian has struggled a lot this year. McDonald on the other hand was a quarterfinalist in Toronto, and also reached the round of 16 in Cincinnati. The form is on the American’s side. I have a feeling it may not be until his favourite indoor hard court season that Auger-Aliassime regains his touch. McDonald to edge this one.
Prediction: McDonald in 5
Roman Safiullin vs Marco Cecchinato
Damian:
Safiullin hasn’t won a match since his brilliant Wimbledon run, but he was playing pretty okay in both matches. Seems like there isn’t much that can go wrong for him here with Cecchinato on a long streak of early exits and carrying an abysmal win/loss record on this surface in his career (10-41 at Tour-level).
Prediction: Safiullin in 3
Shane:
Roman Safiullin is amidst a career year. Despite coming to the US Open on a three-match losing streak, Safiullin held a 17-5 record in the 22 matches before that. Marco Cecchinato is 1-11 in his last 12 matches. Safiullin will bully him around the court.
Prediction: Safiullin in 3
Jordan:
Safiullin has only played two matches since his surprise quarterfinal run at Wimbledon, and lost both of them. However, he is playing a true clay court specialist in Cecchinato. The Italian can trouble many on clay, but on a hard court I would expect even a below par Safiullin to win.
Prediction: Safiullin in 4
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Hugo Gaston vs Sho Shimabukuro
Damian:
Brilliant opportunity for both in the all-qualifier matchup. Gaston had the wildest qualifying campaign with every opponent having him on the ropes at some point. You just never know what you’re going to get with the Frenchman, but he does have a higher ceiling than Shimabukuro. Maybe he survives another thriller.
Prediction: Gaston in 5
Shane:
Qualifiers Sho Shimabukuro and Hugo Gaston meet for the first time. Shimabukuro holds a 21-9 record this summer over all levels. Gaston has also played some terrific tennis of late, holding a 13-2 record in his last 15 matches. The Frenchman’s comfort on the Slam stage will be the difference.
Prediction: Gaston in 4
Jordan:
Both players had tough fights to get through qualifying. Gaston is slightly more experienced despite his younger age. Shimabukuro is making just his second Grand Slam appearance, but neither man has a main draw win at Flushing Meadows. I think Gaston’s varied game will have enough to win.
Prediction: Gaston in 4
Tommy Paul vs Stefano Travaglia
Damian:
Travaglia back to a Slam main draw is huge for him after missing the qualifying cut-off at the first three Majors of the year. To get here, he pulled off three consecutive comebacks from a set down against strong opposition (Gombos/Millman/Cazaux). It’s just that while maybe there are spots in the draw where he could have a chance, Paul seems way too strong.
Prediction: Paul in 3
Shane:
Tommy Paul enters this US Open with the highest seed at a Slam in his career. He posted a 6-2 record during the North American Masters swing and is back to playing terrific tennis. He has not dropped a set in two previous matches against Stefano Travaglia. That will not change.
Prediction: Paul in 3
Jordan:
Paul has had very solid results in the run up to the US Open. The highlight being a win against Carlos Alcaraz on his way to the semifinal of the Toronto Masters. 31-year-old Travaglia battled through qualifying to reach a Grand Slam main draw for the first time in nearly 2 years. That is extremely admirable, but his run is very likely to stop against an in-form and clean hitting Paul.
Prediction: Paul in 3
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
