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. Top-ranked American Taylor Fritz takes on former World No. 31 Lloyd Harris. Elsewhere, we offer previews and predictions for Carlos Alcaraz vs Mattia Bellucci, Ben Shelton vs Pablo Carreno Busta, and Novak Djokovic vs Zachary Svajda. Offering their insights are Ateet Shrivastava, Damian Kust, and Zain Mustafa. But who will advance?
US Open Day 4 Men’s Predictions
Jiri Lehecka vs Tomas Martin Etcheverry
Ateet
Jiri Lehecka won the crucial third-set tiebreak against Borna Coric, which helped him win the match in four. It was a quality match, and Lehecka will feel ready for what’s to come next. Etcheverry has troubled him in the past, but all their meetings have come on clay. The faster surfaces suit Lehecka’s game better, and I see him winning this without losing more than a set.
Prediction: Lehecka in 4
Damian
Lehecka’s first round against Coric was getting a bit too close for comfort, but he did take the win in four. The Czech has produced some disappointing results at the Slams of late and should be very focused to avoid that here. Etcheverry doesn’t have that much quality in his hard-court game, but he’ll fight like a lion if given the chance.
Prediction: Lehecka in 4
Zain
Facing a scare against Borna Coric, Jiri Lehecka did very well to compose himself and close the match in four sets. Tomas Martin Etcheverry brings solidity from the back that can make this a contest, but Lehecka’s weapons give him the edge. The serve advantage, combined with his superior groundstroke power, should be enough to get him the win.
Prediction: Lehecka in 4
Luciano Darderi vs Eliot Spizzirri
Ateet
Luciano Darderi played one of the best matches of his career to get his first win at a hard-court Major. He lost just two points behind his first serve and made only 11 unforced errors all match. If he can sustain this level, he will put himself in a winning position against Eliot Spizzirri.
Prediction: Darderi in 4
Damian
With 3 ATP Tour titles in 2025, it’s clear that Darderi’s game is in a good spot. The question is whether he can become an all-surface player very quickly. Not like he doesn’t have the tools and it would be good for him to take advantage of a softer draw to reach the third round. But it’s not an obvious one against a player so much more comfortable in this setting.
Prediction: Darderi in 5
Zain
Both of these players won their first matches with ease. Eliot Spizzirri will bring fight and energy, but Luciano Darderi’s greater experience and baseline advantage should tilt the match in his favor.
Prediction: Darderi in 4
Tomas Machac vs Joao Fonseca
Ateet
This has the potential of becoming the match of the second round as two great ball strikers go toe-to-toe. Tomas Machac put an end to his three-match losing streak with a sensational performance against Luca Nardi. Joao Fonseca, on the other hand, kept his sublime first-round record at Grand Slams as he overcame Miomir Kecmanovic in straight sets. He showed more discipline, and that would be key against Machac. This can go either way, but I am going with the teenager.
Prediction: Fonseca in 5
Damian
Fonseca lost to big servers recently, but a player like Kecmanovic was much more up his alley with the space he had to dictate off the ground. Machac’s job will be to take time away as much as possible and that’s something he excels at. But with his questionable fitness and Fonseca not having to fear a massive first serve here, I feel it might not be enough.
Prediction: Fonseca in 5
Zain
For once, Tomas Machac completed and won a match, showing viewers that when it all clicks, he is still a very dangerous opponent on these faster courts. Up against the teenage crowd favorite Joao Fonseca, he will have moments to spoil the party, but ultimately Fonseca just offers a touch more reliability right now with both his fitness and his power game.
Prediction: Fonseca in 4
Taylor Fritz vs Lloyd Harris
Ateet
This should be a serve-dominant match, as both players excel behind their first serve. However, Fritz has better shot tolerance and a more effective baseline game to complement his delivery. He has played a lot of matches recently and will back himself to win the tiebreaks if needed.
Prediction: Fritz in 4
Damian
Harris has done very well to come through the qualifying and defeat Baez in straight sets in the opening round. He’s a former quarterfinalist of this event and while many injuries since have slowed down his career, he can still fire up for a set or two and be almost unplayable. But Fritz is too sharp for that in the longer format.
Prediction: Fritz in 4
Zain
Taylor Fritz did very well to win his first round match against the tricky Emilio Nava in straight sets. Lloyd Harris’s serve and first strike mindset might cause issues for many, but Fritz has been counterpunching effectively on these courts for a long time. Anything other than a regulation win would raise eyebrows.
Prediction: Fritz in 3
Main Photo Credit: Aaron Doster – Imagn Images
