The second round starts on Day 3 of the US Open, and we have 16 men’s matches on the schedule for Wednesday. As always, our writers here at LWOT will share their thoughts on every match. We split the 16 matches between four articles. Aside from this article, our others feature Novak Djokovic vs Laslo Djere, Ben Shelton vs Roberto Bautista Agut, and Casper Ruud vs Gael Monfils. Predicting Wednesday’s matches are Ateet Shrivastava, Damian Kust, and Jim Smith. Who do you think will reach Round 3?
US Open Day 3 Men’s Predictions
Frances Tiafoe vs Alexander Shevchenko
Ateet:
Tiafoe did so well to come out of his first-round match without much trouble against an inspired Kovacevic. Tiafoe is playing some of his best tennis ever and has a genuine shot to at least make the second week here. Shevchenko played at a very high level in the first two sets against Koepfer but lost concentration in the third set. If Tiafoe remains solid he should win this.
Prediction: Tiafoe in 4
Damian:
Tiafoe, from the first two sets of the match with Kovacevic, was marvelous to watch with the American being so focused on the task at hand. Things went awry not much later, but he should be able to defeat Shevchenko as he’s still carrying plenty of that Cincinnati final momentum and there’s not much the Kazakh can hurt him with.
Prediction: Tiafoe in 4
Jim:
Frances Tiafoe still hasn’t been playing his best tennis, but the signs in recent weeks have been promising. There will be tougher tests to come for the American if he wants to put together another deep run in New York, and frankly his game doesn’t look like it’s there at the moment. But he should still beat the Kazakh.
Prediction: Tiafoe in 4
Sebastian Baez vs Tallon Griekspoor
Ateet:
Sebastian Baez was ever so solid in his first-round match but Tallon Griekspoor has more weapons and experience than Darderi. Greikspoor has a big serve which earns him a lot of free points. On these fast surfaces, I will always lean towards Griekspoor. It won’t be easy, though.
Prediction: Griekspoor in 4
Damian:
Griekspoor is usually the stronger hard-court player, but in his present form this might be a bit closer to even. The win over Nagal in the opening round must have been vital for the Dutchman. He has the firepower advantage and if he executes his game right, he will be the one making the third round.
Prediction: Griekspoor in 4
Jim:
Tallon Griekspoor played very well in his opener in New York. He probably won’t find it quite as straightforward against Sebastian Baez, but the Argentine does remain much more comfortable on the clay. Don’t be surprised to see Griekspoor take this one.
Prediction: Griekspoor in 4
Andrey Rublev vs Arthur Rinderknech
Ateet:
Rublev might have lost a set or two a month ago against Seyboth Wild but he looks in a much better space currently and it’s showing in his tennis. Rinderknech played a long five-setter against Eubanks and did well to win. These two met recently and in last year’s US Open where Rublev won after a tough fight from Rinderknech. The Frenchman’s serve can keep the scoreboard close but Rublev will win it eventually.
Prediction: Rublev in 4
Damian:
Rublev is a bit more fragile this year, suffering some exits in spots he wasn’t vulnerable to in his golden 2020-23 patch. That’s not to say he’s out of the game and he can still produce a very high level on his day. He has already taken down Rinderknech twice and the Frenchman might be a bit too predictable to capitalize on his rival not being in the form of his life.
Prediction: Rublev in 4
Jim:
Arthur Rinderknech is a good player to watch, and when he’s on song has something of the Jeremy Chardy about him–though he doesn’t pack the same punch on the forehand side. Andrey Rublev, in contrast, does pack plenty of punch. Off both wings. The Russian doesn’t quite have the sprinkling of star dust to trouble the very best, but he is a very tough man to beat for everyone else.
Prediction: Rublev in 3
Taylor Fritz vs Matteo Berrettini
Ateet:
This doesn’t feel like a second-round match but it was always possible due to Berrettini’s ranking. The Italian has a wonderful record at the US Open but hard courts have proven to be his worst surface and that’s evident in his head-to-head record against Fritz. These two have met three times on hard courts and Fritz has won all the matches. I can see a close match but can’t go against the American.
Prediction: Fritz in 5
Damian:
Berrettini is not quite at the same threat level on hard as on grass, but Fritz also isn’t Jannik Sinner. What’s worrying is a leg issue that the Italian was playing with in his opening round, he also has been struggling in this head-to-head historically. Hopefully it doesn’t come to that, but fitness-wise Fritz is also much stronger.
Prediction: Fritz in 5
Jim:
This is a very tough second-round draw for Taylor Fritz, especially at his home Slam. Matteo Berrettini may not be the force he was at his peak, but with the weapons in his game, he’s never going to be less than dangerous. But Fritz did look very sharp in his opener, and his weapons of his own. This will be a test, but he’s a good enough player to pass it.
Prediction: Fritz in 4
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports
