The first round of the US Open wraps up on Day 2 with 32 men’s matches scheduled for Tuesday. There should be some incredible action in New York, and–as always–we here at LastWordOnTennis share our thoughts on every single match. We split the day’s 32 matches between eight articles. The other articles feature Carlos Alcaraz vs Li Tu, Jannik Sinner vs Mackenzie McDonald, Tommy Paul vs Lorenzo Sonego, Denis Shapovalov vs Botic van de Zandschulp, Arthur Fils vs Learner Tien, Daniil Medvedev vs Dusan Lajovic, and Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Thanasi Kokkinakis. Predicting this set of matches are Damian Kust, Yesh Ginsburg, and Ateet Shrivastava. Who do you think will advance?
US Open Day 2 Men’s Predictions
Fabian Marozsan vs Hamad Medjedovic
Damian:
This isn’t quite like Roland Garros when Medjedovic was goating in the qualifying, but maybe ironically this is when he can get the result. Two players with not all that much strategy in their games here, both will be desperate to stay on the front foot. Marozsan takes time away a bit better and that’s his asset, for Medjedovic it will be the booming serve. Tough call.
Prediction: Medjedovic in 5
Yesh:
What a battle of rising stars this should be. If Medjedovic is fully healthy, this could be a harbinger of future Slam finals. For now, though, it’s just a great first-round match.
Prediction: Medjedovic in 5
Ateet:
Marozsan got an impressive win over Grigor Dimitrov in Cincinnati but has lost his last two matches. He is facing Medjedovic who has beaten him this year and did well to come through qualifying. This is Medjedovic’s first US Open main draw and he has the potential to beat the Hungarian. I am more confident in this match going over three sets than picking a winner but I will go with the higher-ranked player.
Prediction: Marozsan in 5
Nuno Borges vs Federico Coria
Damian:
Usually when you draw Coria at a non Roland Garros Slam, you’re going to be quite happy about it. That’s also the case with Borges here. While he had moments in his career when a win like this wouldn’t really feel guaranteed, confidence-wise he seems to be in a much better place right now, especially after that Bastad title.
Prediction: Borges in 3
Yesh:
This battle of South Americans should be a fun one as well. Borges probably has the advantages on these courts solely from his years of playing in the NCAAs.
Prediction: Borges in 4
Ateet:
Coria would have had a better chance if this match were to be played on clay courts. Borges is much more comfortable in quicker conditions and had a good run at the Australian Open this year. Coria has a career win percentage of less than 20 on this surface and that’s just bad.
Prediction: Borges in 4
Aleksandar Vukic vs Max Purcell
Damian:
All-Australian classic and Vukic was usually better in this one in the past. He’s not known for his consistency, but he plays with a lot of shape and can be really locked in when he wants to. That could make him a tough opponent for Purcell, who loves to disrupt and draw out errors with his slice.
Prediction: Vukic in 4
Yesh:
Vukic has been impressing me recently. The results aren’t there, but the form is. That’s more than I can say about his fellow Aussie at the moment.
Prediction: Vukic in 3
Ateet:
Vukic lost to an inspired Pablo Carreno Busta last week but he has been rather consistent this year and played at a good level. Purcell has also had a decent season but will have to be at his best to beat Vukic. Vukic has a better serve and is more solid from the baseline which gives him the edge.
Prediction: Vukic in 4
Hubert Hurkacz vs Timofey Skatov
Damian:
Hurkacz returned from that knee procedure so early and looked quite okay in Montreal and Cincinnati until having to retire against Tiafoe. If this was just due to overplaying, his draw in the first round looks really nice. Skatov doesn’t have any overwhelming weapons and is far from a hard court specialist.
Prediction: Hurkacz in 3
Yesh:
Timofey Skatov is an interesting player. Sometimes it’s hard to figure out just how high he’ll go, or if he’ll even ever be a top player at all. For this match, though, it doesn’t matter. He can’t handle Hurkacz’s power.
Prediction: Hurkacz in 3
Ateet:
Hurkacz has looked good since his return from injury, reaching the quarterfinals of both the Cincinnati Masters and Canada Masters. The US Open has been Hurkacz’s worst Slam as he has never been past the second round. Skatov had to battle hard in all of his three qualifying rounds. Hurkacz’s serve alone is good enough to win him this match in these fast conditions.
Prediction: Hurkacz in 3
Main Photo Credit: Jonathan Hui-USA TODAY Sports
