Day 2 on the US Open brings a compelling slate of first-round males’s matches, with Carlos Alcaraz making his return to Grand Slam competitors and a number of other intriguing matchups on the schedule. Our writers break down the motion and provide their predictions for the 2026 US Open. You may view our newest predictions for all of the matches on Monday together with Ben Shelton’s as properly.
US Open Day 2 Predictions
Carlos Alcaraz vs Roman Safiullin
Zain:
In his first match again from what has been virtually a five-month layoff, Carlos Alcaraz takes on Roman Safiullin, a participant who has defeated the Spaniard earlier than. That is fairly a tough matchup for Alcaraz if he isn’t up to the mark, and I anticipate him to be rusty to begin issues off. However in the end, I really feel Alcaraz wouldn’t be enjoying this match if he didn’t suppose he might win it. With that in thoughts, he ought to in the end discover a method because the match progresses.
Prediction: Alcaraz in 4
Ilemona:
Carlos Alcaraz is defending his title after greater than 4 months away from aggressive tennis as a consequence of a wrist harm, so rust is an actual concern in his first match again. Roman Safiullin reached the fourth spherical at Wimbledon this summer time and beat Alcaraz on laborious courts again in 2023, so their head-to-head is tied at one apiece and Safiullin is aware of he may cause issues. The lengthy layoff provides actual uncertainty to an opening-night conflict that could possibly be tighter than the seeding suggests.
Prediction: Alcaraz in 4
Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard vs Jurij Rodionov
Zain:
Rodionov confirmed stage within the qualifying spherical, making the principle draw after some hard-fought victories. Now he faces Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, who nonetheless possesses one of many greatest serves on tour. Sadly for the Frenchman, his stage exterior of his serve this yr has been fairly beneath common. If Rodionov will get into rallies and returns properly, he can win this match.
Prediction: Rodionov in 5
Ilemona:
Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard brings one of many greatest serves within the recreation to Flushing Meadows, which is all the time a harmful weapon on the quick laborious courts. Jurij Rodionov certified for the principle draw and can attempt to lengthen rallies and discover rhythm, however that is their first profession assembly so Rodionov might want to resolve the serve rapidly. Tiebreaks are doubtless, and Mpetshi Perricard’s firepower ought to be the distinction.
Prediction: Mpetshi Perricard in 5
Valentin Vacherot vs Aleksandar Kovacevic
Zain:
Accidents have held Vacherot again for the reason that finish of the clay season, and he has not seemed just like the player he was to begin the yr since then. Kovacevic is a tough matchup, because the American is enjoying some good tennis behind his serve and forehand. I feel this match can go lengthy, and if it does, the American ought to be favored right here.
Prediction: Kovacevic in 4
Ilemona:
Valentin Vacherot has loved a breakout 2026 season that pushed him into the highest 25 and earned him a seed right here. Aleksandar Kovacevic can have loads of crowd assist in New York, however he has spent a lot of the season exterior the principle tour highlight. Vacherot’s confidence from a career-best yr ought to carry him by of their first assembly.
Prediction: Vacherot in 3
Principal Photograph Credit score: Taya Grey/The Desert Solar / USA TODAY NETWORK through Imagn Photographs
