The first round of the US Open continues on Day 2 on Monday. We’ll be treated to 24 great men’s matches as all of these players search for glory and history in New York. As always, we here at LastWordOnTennis share our thoughts on all of the matches. We split the day’s 24 matches between six articles. The other feature Carlos Alcaraz vs Reilly Opelka, Frances Tiafoe vs Yoshihito Nishioka, Holger Rune vs Botic van de Zandschulp, Jack Draper vs Federico Agustin Gomez, and Andrey Rublev vs Dino Prizmic. Predicting this set of matches are Yesh Ginsburg, Zain Mustafa, and Ilemona Onekutu. Who do you think will advance?
US Open Day 2 Men’s Predictions
Casper Ruud vs Sebastian Ofner
Yesh:
Is Ruud healthy? Has he found his confidence again? If the answer to either of these is a no, the match could get tricky. But assuming Ruud is okay, he should win pretty easily.
Prediction: Ruud in 3
Zain:
Casper Ruud opens against Sebastian Ofner in a matchup where experience and consistency are likely to prove decisive. Ofner’s power can trouble Ruud at times, but the Norwegian’s defensive resilience and ability to stay in a match give him the upper hand across five sets.
Prediction: Ruud in 4
Ilemona:
Ruud’s hard-court form has often lagged behind his clay success, though he remains solid enough from the baseline to handle most early-round matches. Ofner, meanwhile, has had a few good runs this season and brings aggressive shot-making into the mix. If he starts well, this could be a tricky opener.
Prediction: Ruud in 3
Ugo Humbert vs Adam Walton
Yesh:
Walton has had his moments, especially on grass, but Humbert is generally too strong in this matchup. Assuming the Frenchman doesn’t completely lose his range (which does happen sometimes), he should win this one.
Prediction: Humbert in 3
Zain:
Ugo Humbert faces Adam Walton, who has impressed in spells on the Tour this year. Still, Humbert’s lefty serve, flat hitting, and confidence on hard courts make him the favorite to control proceedings from the baseline and come out with a win.
Prediction: Humbert in 4
Ilemona:
Humbert hasn’t quite hit the heights of last season, struggling for consistency through parts of the year, though his lefty serve and forehand remain effective weapons on hard courts. Walton is still new at this stage and hasn’t faced many opponents with that kind of firepower. If Humbert finds his rhythm, he should have enough to push through.
Prediction: Humbert in 5
Jan-Lennard Struff vs Mackenzie McDonald
Yesh:
This is the kind of match Mackenzie McDonald loves. Struff might have more raw power, but he’s prone to getting frustrated by a good counterpunching opponent. In front of a home crowd, McDonald should thrive in this matchup.
Prediction: McDonald in 4
Zain:
Jan-Lennard Struff meets Mackenzie McDonald in what could turn into one of the more physical contests of the first round. McDonald’s speed and consistency will keep him in rallies, but Struff’s heavier serve and forehand should eventually prove the difference in a close affair.
Prediction: Struff in 5
Ilemona:
Struff’s big-hitting game can make him dangerous on any given day, but he’s had stretches of inconsistency. McDonald thrives on quick movement and counterpunching, which often pays off on these courts. This one looks like it could go long if Struff doesn’t find his range early.
Prediction: McDonald in 5
Sebastian Korda vs Cameron Norrie
Yesh:
Korda looks really good right now. He gave a walkover in his last match in Winston-Salem, but assuming he’s healthy he should be in good enough form to win this, even though Norrie is playing much better than the past few years right now.
Prediction: Korda in 4
Zain:
Sebastian Korda takes on Cameron Norrie in a battle between two players looking to rediscover their best form. Norrie’s counterpunching can frustrate opponents, but Korda’s cleaner baseline game and greater shot-making variety should carry him through over the long haul.
Prediction: Korda in 4
Ilemona:
Korda’s game has been building nicely through the summer, with his flat groundstrokes suited to hard courts. Norrie hasn’t quite found his top level lately, though his grinding style can still test opponents over long rallies. This could turn into a battle of patience versus precision.
Prediction: Korda in 3
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images
