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
Adrian Mannarino vs Yosuke Watanuki
Damian:
And that’s one of the most underrated matchups of the round. Watanuki’s hyper-aggressive style against Mannarino’s unique ball-striking ability and deadly spins (or lack thereof). The Japanese had to pull out of Stanford semifinals recently, so let’s give the edge to the veteran here.
Prediction: Mannarino in 4
Shane:
Adrian Mannarino comes to the US Open holding the best seed of his Slam career (No. 22). He holds a 15-7 record since June. Yosuke Watanuki is up to a career-high ranking of No. 88. That said, he does not have the chops to last in a five-set battle.
Prediction: Mannarino in 4
Jordan:
Both men should be feeling great going into the US Open. Mannarino is having a wonderful season, and it got even better with a run to the quarterfinals in Cincinnati. Watanuki on the other hand reached a career high ranking of #88 last week. There will be plenty of long and gruelling rallies in this one. I think the Frenchman’s experience will tell in the end.
Prediction: Mannarino in 4
Ben Shelton vs Pedro Cachin
Damian:
Cachin made the third round at the US Open last year, but his draw was a bit of a cakewalk. This is an opportunity that Shelton should captialize on, even with his messy performances as of late. The Argentinian has that underrated serve and likes short rallies in faster conditions, but this would be a worrying loss for the youngster.
Prediction: Shelton in 4
Shane:
Ben Shelton will feed off the energy of the American crowd. He has not played great tennis this summer, but I have a feeling he will put something together over the next two weeks. Shelton’s serve will be a major factor in this match.
Prediction: Shelton in 4
Jordan:
It is surely just a matter of time before the multitalented Shelton makes a major breakthrough? Will it be at his home Grand Slam? I am not certain of that, but I am near certain that will beat Cachin. The Argentine won his first ATP title in Gstaad last month, but that was on his much preferred clay courts. Cachin has not even played a hard court tournament in the run up to the US Open, and is likely to struggle.
Prediction: Shelton in 3
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Gregoire Barrere vs Jakub Mensik
Damian:
Mensik qualified in his Slam debut and who knows, maybe he won’t have to play these events anymore really soon. For now he gets Barrere, who’s just in solid and unspectacular form right now. It’s winnable for the 17-year-old and he’s got all the weaponry required to hit back at the Frenchman.
Prediction: Mensik in 5
Shane:
Gregoire Barrere reached a career-high ranking of World No. 49 last month. However, he is just 1-3 during the North American hardcourt swing. 17-year-old Qualifier Jakub Mensik will have some moments of brilliance, but he does not have the consistency to beat a player of Barrere’s caliber.
Prediction: Barrere in 4
Jordan:
The qualification of 17-year-old Mensik is one of the best stories in qualifying. Former Grand Slam quarterfinalist Fabio Fognini is one of the players he beat in qualifying on his way to the main draw. The also talented Barrere will have his hands full. Both men are capable of great shot making, and this might be one of the best first round matches. The Frenchman to just about squeeze through.
Prediction: Barrere in 5
Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Milos Raonic
Damian:
This is truly one of the highlights of the round. Raonic can still peak in an individual performance, even if playing five good matches in a row might be impossible for him at this stage. Tsitsipas is out of form and has never done well in New York. It’s tight and you know what? Sound the upset alarm!
Prediction: Raonic in 5
Shane:
Stefanos Tsitsipas has not won a set in two previous matches against Milos Raonic. The Greek won just a single match during the North American Masters swing, and has had trouble against big servers. That said, I do not know if Raonic has the fitness to sustain a high level against an athlete like Tsitsipas.
Prediction: Tsitsipas in 5
Jordan:
A clash of two former Grand Slam finalists. Hopefully this is not Raonic’s final US Open, which he has not ruled out. His good performances in Toronto gave reasons to be hopeful. Tsitsipas’s title win in Los Cabos looked to be a welcome boost, but he then exited early in Toronto and Cincinnati. This might be closer than many think. Tsitsipas sometimes struggles against big servers due to his backhand return. (As shown against Christopher Eubanks at Wimbledon) I’ll back the Greek, but only narrowly.
Prediction: Tsitsipas in 5
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
