The US Open continues on Tuesday, with the remaining 32 men’s first-round matches on Day 2. It should be an action-packed day of tennis, and–as always, we here at LWOT share our thoughts on every match. We split the 32 matches between eight articles. At the bottom of the article we have links to our Day 2 men’s US Open predictions. Predicting these matches are Damian Kust, Ateet Shrivastava, and Yesh Ginsburg. Who do you think will reach Round 2?
US Open Day 2 Men’s Predictions
Alejandro Tabilo vs David Goffin
Damian:
Goffin got some form going the last two weeks, but getting blown out like this by Sonego in the Winston-Salem semifinals won’t help his confidence. Maybe this will be a similar match? The veteran is finding some rhythm but can he still step it up against someone of Tabilo’s quality is the big question here. In the long run, probably not.
Prediction: Tabilo in 4
Ateet
Tabilo played some high-quality tennis in Montreal but didn’t back it up in Cincinnati where he lost in the first round. David Goffin reached the Winston-Salem Open semifinals last week in his best performance in a long time. Tabilo has the better serve but Goffin returns better so it should be a close match.
Prediction: Tabilo in 5
Yesh
David Goffin looks okay at times. Alejandro Tabilo looks like a future star, especially on clay. He’s less tested on these courts, but should be able to outmaneuver Goffin from the baseline.
Prediction: Tabilo in 4
Zizou Bergs vs Pavel Kotov
Damian:
Bergs is finally getting all the main tour opportunities he had been seeking for years and so far he hasn’t set the world on fire. This might be a good chance for him to get another important win though. Kotov is just middling this season and had some interesting moments in Winston-Salem, finishing one match serving underarm.
Prediction: Bergs in 5
Ateet
These players played some good tennis last week and will come into this match with confidence. Bergs has lost to Alex Michelsen in his last two tournaments so he should be pleased to play a different opponent here. Kotov can play great tennis and he finally showed it last week after a string of losses. Both players are looking to get their first win at the US Open and I think Kotov will just edge it.
Prediction: Kotov in 5
Yesh
Both of these men are solid and improving. Neither will be consistent performers late in Slams, but a second round is a nice result for either of them. Kotov probably does most things a tiny bit better, but this could come down to form or even nerves.
Prediction: Kotov in 5
Gabriel Diallo vs Jaume Munar
Damian:
Diallo is one of the qualifiers with the best draw to make the third round alongside Bellucci, but is it a guarantee he beats Munar on a hard court? His level last week was a bit pedestrian and he mostly dug deep to grind it out and make the main draw. He’ll need to be quite sharp here against someone who will make sure to force him to hit a lot of balls.
Prediction: Diallo in 4
Ateet
Gabriel Diallo advanced to his second Grand Slam main draw with a strong showing in the qualifications. Diallo has a big serve and will trouble Munar, who has shown some fight recently but couldn’t convert them into wins. Hard courts are not his strength either so I am leaning towards the qualifier.
Prediction: Diallo in 5
Yesh
Jaume Munar is finally learning to be a bit less defensive, though he’s still way too passive for a court like this. That could spell trouble against Diallo, but the Canadian wasn’t strong enough in qualifying for me to trust him.
Prediction: Munar in 5
Jannik Sinner vs Mackenzie McDonald
Damian:
The doping scandal coming out just a few days before the US Open probably isn’t ideal for Sinner mentally, he also didn’t always look fine physically in the lead-ups despite winning Cincinnati. But realistically, it’s still going to take a monumental effort to take him out McDonald probably doesn’t have that in him at the moment.
Prediction: Sinner in 3
Ateet
The world No.1 will look to get off to a good start and let the racket do the talking. McDonald has given some tough battles to Sinner in the past but is still searching for his best level. The crowd will be on McDonald’s side but I worry that won’t be enough to get the upset.
Prediction: Sinner in 3
Yesh
What an unfortunate draw for Mackenzie McDonald. The American is talented, so he might entertain the crowd a bit in this, but he’s really no match for Sinner.
Prediction: Sinner in 3
Day 2 Men’s US Open Predictions
- Carlos Alcaraz vs Li Tu
- Tommy Paul vs Lorenzo Sonego
- Denis Shapovalov vs Botic van de Zandschulp
- Hubert Hurkacz vs Timofey Skatov
- Daniil Medvedev vs Dusan Lajovic
- Arthur Fils vs Learner Tien
- Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Thanasi Kokkinakis
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke – USA TODAY Sports
