US Open action kicks off on Sunday with a bevy of intriguing matches on both the men’s and women’s sides. No. 6 seed Ben Shelton gets his campaign underway on Arthur Ashe against Ignacio Buse. As always, we at LWOT provide the preview and prediction for all matches on the slate, with Ateet Shrivastava, Damian Kust, and Tope Oke offering their insights.
Our other prediction pieces feature Novak Djokovic vs Learner Tien, Taylor Fritz vs Emilio Nava, Daniil Medvedev vs Benjamin Bonzi, and Jakub Mensik vs Nicolas Jarry. But who will advance?
US Open Day 1 Men’s Predictions
Fabian Marozsan vs Ugo Blanchet
Ateet
Ugo Blanchet, a qualifier making his US Open main-draw debut, has shown resilience, winning 7 of his last 10 matches in all competitions, but Fabian Marozsan is an experienced player, and his consistent power should lead him to victory.
Prediction: Marozsan in 4
Damian
Good effort to qualify for a second Slam this year from Blanchet; making the main draw from that section wasn’t obvious. Marozsan can sometimes hit himself off the court, and the Frenchman counter-punches well with options to take over on that whippy forehand when possible. But you can’t really go against the favorite here; he’s got too much quality.
Prediction: Marozsan in 4
Tope
Ugo Blanchet finally makes his debut in New York after failing to qualify last season. He looked solid in the qualifiers and will certainly not be a walkover against his Hungarian opponent. However, Marozsan has more experience at this level and should continue the trend of winning at least a match in most of the events he enters.
Prediction: Marozsan in 4
Camilo Ugo Carabelli vs Tomas Martin Etcheverry
Ateet
These two compatriots know each other’s game extremely well, as they have played many times at the Futures and Challenger level. However, they have only faced off once at the tour-level, which Etcheverry won in straight sets on clay. Things can be a lot closer on hard courts, and I expect a battle in this one.
Prediction: Etcheverry in 5
Damian
On clay, they’ve played some incredible classics and have been friends for the longest time. Their 13th pro meeting, but the last one on hard courts was in 2019. Etcheverry is typically the stronger player on this surface, and you kind of have to side with him. But matchups like that can get a lot trickier than they should.
Prediction: Etcheverry in 5
Tope
Despite having played several times on the ITF circuits, both Argentines will meet for the first time on hardcourts, a surface on which Carabelli has looked steadier this season. However, he has retired twice within a month, and it remains to be seen which version of him turns up in New York. Considering that, I’ll back Etcheverry to go through.
Prediction: Etcheverry in 4
Zachary Svajda vs Zsombor Piros
Ateet
Zachary Svajda is making his fifth main draw appearance at the US Open and will look to double his win tally here by winning the first round. Zsombor Piros defeated some solid players in the qualifiers and will make his Grand Slam main draw debut. His confidence will be high, and I expect him to push Svajda here. However, Svajda should find a way to get the victory.
Prediction: Svajda in 5
Damian
Great story for Piros to overcome a 0-4 win/loss record in Grand Slam final qualifying rounds to finally make a main draw debut, eight years after his Australian Open junior title. Two slightly underpowered players here, but Svajda has been in the form of his life since the grass swing. The Hungarian would need to step it up here.
Prediction: Svajda in 4
Tope
While Piros is more than capable of defeating Svajda, it is unlikely he can achieve that in unfamiliar American terrain and in the best of five sets. The American, with home support, should sail through in this one.
Prediction: Svajda in 4
Ben Shelton vs Ignacio Buse
Ateet
#6 seed Ben Shelton has made some big strides this season and boasts a fantastic record in Slams. He enters his home Slam in top form and will look to make a strong start. Ignacio Buse, ranked No. 136, is making his Grand Slam main draw debut after a solid qualifying run. However, Shelton’s level will be too much for the qualifier.
Prediction: Shelton in 3
Damian
Buse has had a great summer, especially with the semifinals in Gstaad and now his Grand Slam main draw debut. But it’s still a bit unclear how he’ll be handling himself against top players, especially on hard courts. Shelton always performs on the big stage, and this is a good draw for him to begin the event.
Prediction: Shelton in 3
Tope
Ignacio Buse has deservedly earned a Grand Slam main-draw debut to cap a quite impressive season, and he can at least have all the fun against Ben Shelton, who will have to have too much power and local support to reach the second round.
Prediction: Shelton in 3
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke – Imagn Images
