The 2023 US Open continues Round 1 play on Tuesday, with 32 men’s matches slated for play. The first few days of a Slam are action-packed from sunup to sundown, and Day 2 in Flushing Meadows is no different. We at LWOT have analyzed the matches and provided our thoughts on all 32 matches. We split the 32 matches between eight articles. Our other articles feature Carlos Alcaraz vs Dominik Koepfer, Cameron Norrie vs Alexander Shevchenko, Alexander Zverev vs Aleksandar Vukic, Andy Murray vs Corentin Moutet, Gael Monfils vs Taro Daniel, Daniil Medvedev vs Attila Balazs, and Jannik Sinner vs Yannick Hanfmann. Predicting this set of matches are Damian Kust, Yesh Ginsburg, and Jordan Reynolds.
US Open Day 2 Predictions
Lorenzo Sonego vs Nicolas Moreno De Alboran
Damian:
Moreno de Alboran saved match points to make it through the qualifying, securing a big milestone of debuting in a Slam main draw. Sonego’s far from the toughest option he could have drawn, but also nowhere near easy. Moreno de Alboran can cause him issues with the big serve and stellar grinding.
Prediction: Sonego in 5
Yesh:
Remember the name Nicolas Moreno De Alboran. After an impressive college career, COVID slowed his movement to the main tours. But he’s been impressive at Challengers, and he’s going to be here to stay on the main tour soon. Lorenzo Sonego should be on serious upset alert here.
Prediction: Moreno De Alboran in 4
Jordan:
26-year-old Moreno De Alboran’s qualification is a good news story of a player plugging away for years, before finally being rewarded. The achievement of qualifying is already significant. Can he go further? Seasoned pro Sonego is certainly a big favourite, and the Italian usually plays at a pretty consistent level. The Italian to win, but a set being lost would not surprise me.
Prediction: Sonego in 4
Daniel Altmaier vs Constant Lestienne
Damian:
Altmaier took Sinner to five sets here last year and has a significantly easier draw this time. Despite an abysmal season, Lestienne picked himself up recently with the title in Stanford (saved seven match points against Sweeny in the opening round). Who wins this one? It’s basically a coin toss.
Prediction: Altmaier in 5
Yesh:
This could be a fun match, but don’t expect an amazing one. Lestienne was impressive winning the 125 Challenger in Stanford a few weeks ago, though, so he gets the edge.
Prediction: Lestienne in 4
Jordan:
Lestienne had been suffering from a dreadful run of form. But brought that to an end with a title run at the Stanford Challenger. He did then suffer a very narrow loss in Winston-Salem, but he should still be more confident than previously. Altmaier’s form has been mixed, and he has a very different style to the unpredictable Lestienne. But I think the German’s greater consistency will just about win this one.
Prediction: Altmaier in 5
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Borna Coric vs Sebastian Baez
Damian:
They’ve just played in the Winston-Salem semifinals and that’s no guarantee that the winner will be the same. Baez has all the confidence in the world right now with two ATP 250 titles in a row, but he might also feel the effects of a long week in North Carolina. Let’s say they split the two meetings.
Prediction: Coric in 5
Yesh:
Coric didn’t put things together after his Cincinnati title last year, but the talent is still there and he can often call on it. Baez won this matchup on Friday in Winston-Salem, but it took a third-set tiebreak. I’ll take Coric in the rematch.
Prediction: Coric in 4
Jordan:
These two met just a few days ago in the Winston-Salem semifinal. Baez won an epic contest on his way to a first hard court title. I do expect Ćorić to strike back here though. The mental and physical effort to win a shock title on a surface Baez had previously struggled on must have taken some level of toll on Baez. It will be an incredible effort if he does defeat Ćorić again.
Prediction: Coric in 3
John Isner vs Facundo Diaz Acosta
Damian:
It’s nothing against Diaz Acosta, but it would be disappointing for Isner if he ended his career against him on hard. The American legend is playing in his last professional event and that often gives you a big mental boost. Conditions should suit him well and help neutralize Diaz Acosta’s assets.
Prediction: Isner in 4
Yesh:
This is John Isner’s last event. It will take some tiebreaks, but he’s not bowing out in the first round.
Prediction: Isner in 4
Jordan:
Former Wimbledon semifinalist Isner has confirmed the US Open is his last tournament. Will this be his final match? I doubt it. Diaz Acosta is a clay court specialist, and has yet to register a Grand Slam win. The huge serving American may not be in his prime, but I think there is enough left in the tank to take advantage of a good draw, and extends his career by another match.
Prediction: Isner in 4
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane – USA TODAY Sports
