At the 2024 US Open, like at all Majors, 16 men came through qualifying to earn a spot in the main draw. For the most part, being in qualifying means a player wasn’t ranked high enough to directly make the main draw. This means that most qualifiers don’t go very far–but it makes it all the more special on those rare occasions they do. So, let’s look at this year’s 16 men’s qualifiers and see who, if any, can produce the start of a memorable run.<\/p>\n
Qualifier:<\/strong> Eliot Spizzirri (rank: 343, previous US Open appearances: 0) Qualifier:<\/strong> Mattia Bellucci (rank: 102, previous US Open appearances: 0) Qualifier:<\/strong> Gabriel Diallo (rank: 144, previous US Open appearances: 0) Qualifier:<\/strong> Hamad Medjedovic (rank: 137, previous US Open appearances: 0) Qualifier:<\/strong> Li Tu (rank: 188, previous US Open appearances: 0)
\nOpponent:<\/strong> Alex Michelsen (rank: 52)
\nSpizzirri deserves credit for thwarting the much-talked-about Joao Fonseca in the final round of qualifying to make his Slam debut at the age of 23, though Michelsen is also being mentioned in tones of wonder following his third tour final at Winston-Salem this week, and it seems unlikely he will lose here.
\nFirst Round Outlook:<\/em> Not too likely<\/p>\n
\nOpponent:<\/strong> Stan Wawrinka (wildcard, rank: 178)
\nThe 23-year-old Italian has enjoyed his most fruitful year to date, moving beyond intriguing to impressive. He completes the set of Grand Slam appearances against the 2016 champion, who has attained almost every form of success the tour has to offer, and must be desperate for one last Slam victory.
\nFirst Round Outlook:<\/em> Should be close, but advantage Wawrinka<\/p>\n
\nOpponent:<\/strong> Jaume Munar (rank: 82)
\nThe Canadian has been slowly moving beyond the confines of the Challenger Tour, and boasts a strong record against clay specialists on hard courts. For his part, Munar has exited the US Open at the first stage in his last four appearances, and with a 5-14 record on this surface since early 2023, could well be vulnerable.
\nFirst Round Outlook:<\/em> Diallo has a real chance<\/p>\nSECTION 2<\/h4>\n
\nOpponent:<\/strong> Fabian Marozsan (rank: 49)
\nMedjedovic, the reigning NextGen ATP Finals champion, has seldom been found wanting in Challenger<\/a> tournaments and Slam qualifiers; he also got the better of Marozsan on the grass of Stuttgart in June. However, the Hungarian is more accustomed to navigating his way past the opening rounds of major tour events.
\nFirst Round Outlook:<\/em> Possible, but advantage Marozsan<\/p>\nSECTION 3<\/h4>\n
\nOpponent:<\/strong> Carlos Alcaraz (seed: 3)
\nMisgivings as to the ability of the resurgent Australian–retired at 18, returned at 24–are receding fast, following his first successful Slam qualifying campaign. Nonetheless, a comfortable victory for the French Open and Wimbledon<\/a> champion, and Olympic Silver Medalist, is surely not in any serious doubt.
\nFirst Round Outlook:<\/em> Not happening<\/p>\n