The second round of the 2025 US Open continues on Day 5 with many scintillating matchups. Former World No. 3 Stefanos Tsitsipas looks to end the season strong as he squares off against Daniel Altmaier in Round 2. Elsewhere across the grounds, we have previews and predictions for Jannik Sinner vs Alexei Popyrin, Alexander Zverev vs Jacob Fearnley, and Tommy Paul vs Nuno Borges. Ateet Shrivastava, Damian Kust, and Nurein Ahmed offer their insights. But who will advance?
US Open Day 5 Men’s Predictions
Andrey Rublev vs Tristan Boyer
Ateet
Andrey Rublev played a nearly flawless match to defeat the in-form Dino Prizmic in straight sets. Rublev didn’t get broken all match and is looking set to make a deep run here. Tristan Boyer shouldn’t pose much of a problem for the four-time quarterfinalist.
Prediction: Rublev in 3
Damian
Boyer has been in rough shape for all season, but suddenly has an opportunity to come close to a Top 100 debut here. Rublev is the kind of top player you never really feel like you’re out of the match against, with how one-dimensional his game is. But the Russian’s base level is still really high, and he’ll use it to get through one way or another.
Prediction: Rublev in 4
Nurein
This should be a comfortable second outing for Andrey Rublev against the inexperienced Tristan Boyer, who is only making his second Grand Slam appearance. It’s always a great story to see a college product reach the highest level of competition in this sport, but Rublev is miles above the American in ability and talent.
Prediction: Rublev in 3
Lorenzo Musetti vs David Goffin
Ateet
Lorenzo Musetti once again defeated the big-serving Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, who couldn’t create a single break point on Musetti’s serve. It was a flawless match from the Italian, who will look to build on this performance. David Goffin is capable of producing high-quality tennis from time to time, but consistency has been his issue. He defeated Musetti the last time they met, but I can see a different outcome this time.
Prediction: Musetti in 5
Damian
Musetti had only won one match since Roland Garros and posted an important victory over Mpetshi Perricard without facing a break point. Goffin stylistically is a completely different opponent, but it begs the question whether the Belgian still has what it takes to take time away from Musetti at this stage of his career. Longer format, I’d guess no.
Prediction: Musetti in 4
Nurein
Musetti escaped with a four-set win over the big-serving Mpetshi Perricard in what was one of the toughest first rounds imaginable for a seeded player. Goffin is one of the most disciplined players on tour when he can rally, but the Belgian has lost a few yards of pace at his age. I’ll take the younger and more dynamic legs of Musetti in this.
Prediction: Musetti in 4
Alexander Bublik vs Tristan Schoolkate
Ateet
Tristan Schoolkate continues to impress at the biggest stages as he defeated Lorenzo Sonego with a solid and composed performance. He kept his cool in the final set after all the momentum was with the Italian. Alexander Bublik showed no signs of rust as he defeated Marin Cilic in straight sets. His focus has been great in the last two months, and I expect him to win this.
Prediction: Bublik in 4
Damian
Bublik was laser-focused and very disciplined in that opening-round match against Cilic. Without the high expectations that led to his demise at Wimbledon, he might be a more serious threat here. It’s so mindset-based that it can fall apart anytime, but that grinder Bublik we’ve been seeing lately wins this match.
Prediction: Bublik in 4
Nurein
Alexander Bublik’s matches are always unpredictable. The Kazakh was pencilled as an early casualty in this tournament against Marin Cilic. He hadn’t played any warm-up tournament and was up against a former champion. But Bublik made it rather routine in dismantling the Croat in straight sets. But he’s still Bublik. He can serve an opponent off the court in one match and then take his eyes off the ball in the next. It’s entirely up to him. If he plays anything close to his potential, he should be too good for the 24-year-old Aussie.
Prediction: Bublik in 4
Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Daniel Altmaier
Ateet
Stefanos Tsitsipas played one of his best matches of the season to get a much-needed win. This will help his confidence immensely, and he could match his best result here if he beats Altmaier, who had a long five-setter against Hamad Medjedovic in the first round. I can see the Greek player winning this if he sustains his level from the first round.
Prediction: Tsitsipas in 4
Damian
Altmaier took down Medjedovic in almost five hours, but his fitness isn’t usually in question. Facing Tsitsipas, who historically hasn’t done well in New York, could be perceived as an opportunity. But perhaps the Greek can strike back when nobody’s counting on it. It’s not like Altmaier has very natural tools to pressure his backhand corner.
Prediction: Tsitsipas in 4
Nurein
Tsitsipas has often struggled to play his best tennis in New York with a spate of early exits to his name. And for a player of Altmaier’s calibre and capabilities who naturally thrives on slower surfaces, this appears to be a great opportunity for the Greek to address his poor record in this tournament. Tsitsipas is not match-ready for a deep run, but will just survive this.
Prediction: Tsitsipas in 4
Main Photo Credit: Danielle Parhizkaran – USA TODAY Sports
