The second round of the 2025 US Open kicks off on Day 4 as the bottom half of the men’s draw takes the courts in Flushing. Four-time champion Novak Djokovic squares off against young American Zachary Svajda. Elsewhere, we offer previews and predictions for Carlos Alcaraz vs Mattia Bellucci, Ben Shelton vs Pablo Carreno Busta, and Taylor Fritz vs Lloyd Harris. Offering their insights are Ateet Shrivastava, Tope Oke, Damian Kust, and Zain Mustafa. But who will advance?
US Open Day 4 Men’s Predictions
Jordan Thompson vs Adrian Mannarino
Ateet
This is the rematch of their second-round match at the Cincinnati Open recently, where Adrian Mannarino put up a dominant performance to easily beat Jordan Thompson. Both players had a solid first-round win, but Mannarino seems to be playing some of his best tennis this season, and I can’t go against him when he’s in rhythm.
Prediction: Mannarino in 4
Tope
These two players know each other all too well, having faced off ten times, with Mannarino edging it 6-4. The veteran Frenchman has been one of the top performers in the ATP since the season switched back to hard courts, and Thompson will be no pushover; his recent struggles with injuries will likely hinder him again in a best-of-five encounter.
Prediction: Mannarino in 4
Damian
Already the 11th meeting between the pair, and we’ve just seen them coming up against each other in Cincinnati. Mannarino won that one handily, but Thompson also didn’t seem ready to play yet after retiring at Wimbledon. The French veteran has been in stunning form since the grass swing and will probably win again. It should be closer this time.
Prediction: Mannarino in 5
Zain
Adrian Mannarino dispatching Tallon Griekspoor rather effortlessly was one of the results of the tournament so far. Jordan Thompson did well to overcome Corentin Moutet himself too. Both of these players met in Cincinnati almost 20 days ago, where the French veteran served a clinic. This might not be as one sided, but expect Mannarino to progress once again, on the back of his flat, rhythm breaking game.
Prediction: Mannarino in 4
Alejandro Davidovich Fokina vs Arthur Rinderknech
Ateet
Alejandro Davidovich Fokina completely dismantled Alexander Shevchenko in the first round to set up a thrilling encounter against Arthur Rinderknech. These two have played once, which Rinderknech won, but it was more than four years ago, and the Spaniard is a much better player now. Davidovich Fokina is a good returner and will like his chances from the baseline every single time in neutral rallies.
Prediction: Davidovich Fokina in 4
Tope
Arthur Rinderknech faced just one break of serve and secured 84% of his points on his first serve, defeating Roberto Carballes Baena 7-6, 7-5, 4-6, 6-2 in the opener. Having already defeated top-10 players Ben Shelton and Alexander Zverev this season, Rinderknech will be eager to achieve another upset against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, who advanced effortlessly to the quarterfinals after a dominating 6-1, 6-1, 6-2 victory over Alexander Shevchenko, managing to hold serve throughout the entire match. His choice to rest following retirements in Toronto and Cincinnati appears to have paid off, as he skillfully dealt with the conditions to outplay Shevchenko decisively. Rinderknech always poses a danger with his serve, but Davidovich Fokina, with three final appearances on hard courts this season, can repel everything the Frenchman throws.
Prediction: Davidovich Fokina in 4
Damian
It’s been a brilliant season for Davidovich Fokina, who has let go of his usual inconsistency and is just grabbing wins left and right at the moment. If only he converted the championship points in Delray Beach and Washington finals… Either way, you’d expect the Spaniard’s good form to continue here against a solid if unspectacular opponent.
Prediction: Davidovich Fokina in 4
Zain
Coming back from a fatigue break, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina really silenced those questioning his health in the first round. While Arthur Rinderknech’s big serve can trouble anyone on its day, especially on a faster surface, Davidovich Fokina has been playing with just too much baseline quality this season not to win here.
Prediction: Davidovich Fokina in 4
Holger Rune vs Jan-Lennard Struff
Ateet
Holger Rune defeated the dangerous Botic van de Zandschulp in straight sets and looked solid all match. Both players had more winners than unforced errors, but Rune played the big points better. Struff came back from a set down to defeat Mackenzie McDonald in four sets. He has defeated Rune before and can disrupt the Dane with his variety and net rushes. However, Rune will be aware of this and should be ready to deal with it.
Prediction: Rune in 5
Tope
Jan-Lennard Struff is beginning to strut his stuff in New York after some struggles to find his form this season, having gone eight matches without a win. A clash against Holger Rune’s will be his most formidable challenge here, and he will be buoyed by the fact that he has beaten the Dane once, albeit on clay. Rune, too, has looked shaky recently, and he cannot afford to expose any chances to the German, who has the tools to spring an upset if his serve clicks consistently.
Prediction: Struff in 5
Damian
It was good for Rune to close out van de Zandschulp in three sets as some signs of physical issues were already coming up. Tough to predict anything with the Dane right now and he doesn’t seem any closer to starting to produce consistent results. He’s got the tools to win this and withstand the pressure of Struff’s aggression. But will he?
Prediction: Rune in 4
Zain
Getting his first win in New York since 2022 might have given Holger Rune the relief and confidence boost he needed, but his draw is tough. Jan Lennard Struff, with his backhand and serve, is known to make matches longer than they should be, and with Rune being one bad miss away from a run of poor shot selection, expect this to be close.
Prediction: Rune in 4
Novak Djokovic vs Zachary Svajda
Ateet
Novak Djokovic had an inconsistent performance against Learner Tien in the first round as he started brilliantly, but looked rusty and exhausted in the second set. However, he did well to still win the set and closed it out in the third. He will hope to get better going forward, and Zachary Svajda would be the perfect opponent for him.
Prediction: Djokovic in 3
Tope
Zachary Svajda has a chance to make this night a memorable one for himself as he plays the legendary Novak Djokovic in what looks like a classic clash of experience versus youth at the US Open. The Serb’s precision, mental toughness, and ability to raise his game under pressure make him the heavy favourite and justifiably so.
Prediction: Djokovic in 3
Damian
Djokovic against Tien was quicker than expected and while he might be again, the Serbian is still one of the most experienced and intelligent players on the tour. That should help him against Svajda, who also doesn’t have the most conventional game. The youngster has been in the form of his life since the grass swing and will give this a decent go, but that’s it.
Prediction: Djokovic in 4
Zain
Despite struggling for fitness due to blisters in the first round, Novak Djokovic’s shot quality still looks as high as it can get for a 38 year old. Playing such a legend in a packed Arthur Ashe Stadium might be a dream for Zachary Svajda, but expect no gifts to be given by the Serb.
Prediction: Djokovic in 3
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey – Imagn Images
