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
Francisco Cerundolo vs Zachary Svajda
Damian:
Svajda has some great memories from US Open main draws, making it twice with wild cards for his Kalamazoo titles. He went five sets with Lorenzi in 2019 and won a round in 2021. His game was mature for his age at 16, but it hasn’t really transformed into anything though. He needs a serious off-day from Cerundolo, which sometimes happens.
Prediction: Cerundolo in 4
Shane:
Francisco Cerundolo has had a career year in 2023. The 25-year-old Argentine has proven he can play on every surface. Qualifier Zachary Svajda advanced through qualifying by the skin of his teeth. He does not have the baseline power or consistency to hang with Cerundolo.
Prediction: Cerundolo in 3
Jordan:
Svajda is making his second ever Grand Slam main draw appearance. The first was also at the US Open, where he successfully made the second round. I do not foresee a repeat of that. Cerundolo was not near his best in Toronto or Cincinnati. However, his experience and firepower off his forehand should stop Svajda’s challenge in its tracks.
Prediction: Cerundolo in 3
Bernabe Zapata Miralles vs Ethan Quinn
Damian:
The 2023 NCAA champion isn’t exactly entering the tournament in a similar manner as Ben Shelton was last year. He hasn’t made a similar splash in the pros and the decision to leave college might have been a bit too quick. Zapata Miralles is one of the weakest players in the field on this surface and he still might be too consistent for the American.
Prediction: Zapata Miralles in 4
Shane:
9-year-old American wild card Ethan Quinn is into his first career Slam main draw. The 2023 NCAA Singles Champion had a solid summer on the professional circuit, but has never beaten a player ranked as high as Bernabe Zapata Miralles. The Spaniard has struggled on hard courts this season, but he should have the level to get past Quinn in a best-of-five set match.
Prediction: Zapata Miralles in 4
Jordan:
Quinn got a wild card into this event, and in terms of ranking this is a mismatch. Despite that, this is the match where I am predicting the biggest shock defeat in the first round on the men’s side to occur. Quinn’s game revolves mostly around getting his big forehand into play. Zapata Miralles is talented as well as a fighter, but he does not have the firepower of many others in the Top 100. That suits Quinn’s game, who is much more likely to struggle against high pace coming back at him. Upset in 4 predicted due to Quinn’s forehand firing.
Prediction: Quinn in 4
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Benjamin Bonzi vs Quentin Halys
Damian:
Bonzi is trying to come back after injury, but so far he just can’t seem to find his form. Halys isn’t flying right now either, but he’ll be tough to stop with all the weaponry. The French federation chose to give Bonzi the reciprocal wildcard to give him a shot at returning to his previous level, but I don’t think he’ll be taking it yet.
Prediction: Halys in 4
Shane:
Frenchmen Benjamin Bonzi and Quentin Halys will square off for the fourth time. Halys holds a 3-0 advantage over his compatriot, having not dropped a set against him. Halys has also been the much better player in 2023.
Prediction: Halys in 4
Jordan:
Bonzi is one of just two men’s players not from the US to receive a wildcard. He ended a long run of defeats at the Winston Salem Open, which will have been a major relief. His countryman Halys is dangerous, as he proved in his third round showing at Wimbledon. This is a hard one to call. I feel it could go to five sets, with a now slightly more confident Bonzi taking it
Prediction: Bonzi in 5
Frances Tiafoe vs Learner Tien
Damian:
Tien is here for the second year in a row after winning the wildcard at Kalamazoo. Last time, he actually managed to take a set off Kecmanovic. Is he doing that again? Probably not and he’s definitely not winning this match. Tiafoe is just way too strong and one of the toughest possible draws in the field.
Prediction: Tiafoe in 3
Shane:
Frances Tiafoe lit New York on fire last year when he made a run to the US Open semifinals. He has not had the best summer, but should not struggle against the 17-year-old American wild card.
Prediction: Tiafoe in 3
Jordan:
Tiafoe is not carrying the form he would like as he returns to the site of last year’s superb semifinal run. He exited early in both Toronto and Cincinnati. Tien earned a wildcard after defending his USTA 18s’ National Championships title. The 17-year-old has a huge and exciting future ahead in the sport. However I think beating players of the class of Tiafoe is currently beyond him. The elder American to win, and help play himself into some rhythm.
Prediction: Tiafoe in 3
Main Photo Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
