Day 2 on the US Open options one other compelling slate of first-round males’s matches, with rising stars, former contenders, and harmful hard-court gamers all seeking to make a powerful begin in New York. On Monday’s match card, prime American Learner Tien, and the ability of Arthur Fils shall be on show. Our writers break down the motion and supply their predictions for the 2026 US Open.
US Open Day 2 Predictions
Arthur Fils vs Stefanos Tsitsipas
Zain:
It’s nonetheless loopy to see how far Stefanos Tsitsipas has dropped within the rankings for this to be a first-round match. The Greek has proven just a few glimpses of the participant he as soon as was this 12 months, and that’s unlikely to do a lot towards Arthur Fils, a participant who has been enjoying like a top-eight participant this 12 months.
Prediction: Fils in 4
Ilemona:
Arthur Fils arrives in New York recent off successful his first Masters 1000 title in Cincinnati and has crushed Stefanos Tsitsipas in all 5 of their earlier conferences. Tsitsipas has the larger resume with two Grand Slam finals, however he has struggled to seek out solutions for Fils’s energy and aggression of their head-to-head historical past. Tsitsipas might want to change one thing tactically if he needs to show the tables of their sixth profession assembly.
Prediction: Fils in 4
Learner Tien vs Nuno Borges
Zain:
This matchup sees the tactical baseline method of Learner Tien up towards the all-court bashing nature of Nuno Borges. If Borges catches hearth from the again of the court docket, he does have the firepower to take the racket out of Tien’s fingers. However for that to occur for lengthy stretches, regardless of Tien not being bodily 100%, is kind of troublesome, which makes me give Tien the sting right here.
Prediction: Tien in 4
Ilemona:
Learner Tien is among the brightest younger prospects round and has already crushed Nuno Borges in each of their earlier encounters, together with on the Australian Open earlier this 12 months. Borges is a strong competitor who has labored laborious to enhance his hardcourt sport, however Tien’s lefty selection and luxury on fast surfaces have given him the sting thus far. Borges might want to discover a solution to disrupt Tien’s rhythm if he needs to keep away from one other defeat on this matchup.
Prediction: Tien in 4
Grigor Dimitrov vs Alexei Popyrin
Zain:
Grigor Dimitrov performed some very strong tennis within the qualifying spherical to make the principle draw right here, the place he’ll face off towards Alexei Popyrin. The Australian has not had his greatest season thus far this 12 months, however his massive serve and aggressiveness may cause issues on a quick laborious court docket. Nevertheless, if Dimitrov stays bodily secure and makes use of his selection, he ought to win this one.
Prediction: Dimitrov in 4
Ilemona:
Grigor Dimitrov’s all-court sport normally discover good rhythm in New York and fits the US Open circumstances effectively. Alexei Popyrin is a harmful shot-maker who can take the racket out of anybody’s fingers when he’s on, however he has been up and down all through 2026. They’ve cut up their earlier conferences, so neither participant shall be stunned by what the opposite brings.
Prediction: Dimitrov in 5
Alexander Blockx vs Tomas Barrios Vera
Zain:
On the again of his grit, Marcelo Tomas Barrios Vera did effectively to make the principle draw right here, dropping only one set within the qualifying spherical. However now he faces Alexander Blockx, whose serve could be a actual weapon on the sooner courts. The Belgian’s type could have cooled down since he picked up an damage on the French Open, however he ought to nonetheless have greater than sufficient to win this match.
Prediction: Blockx in 3
Ilemona:
Alexander Blockx has had a powerful season that pushed him into the seeding positions at Grand Slams, and his aggressive baseline sport ought to translate effectively to the laborious courts in Flushing Meadows. Tomas Barrios Vera certified for the principle draw and shall be seeking to profit from his alternative, although he’s extra snug on clay than on fast laborious courts. Blockx is available in with the upper rating and extra constant hardcourt outcomes this season.
Prediction: Blockx in 3
Essential Photograph Credit score: Geoff Burke-Imagn Pictures
