US Open Day 1 action begins Sunday with a host of intriguing battles on the men’s side, led by Taylor Fritz’s opening clash on Louis Armstrong against fellow American Emilio Nava. As always, expert previews and predictions accompany the slate, with insights from Ateet Shrivastava, Damian Kust, and Tope Oke.
In addition to Fritz-Nava, other highlighted Day 1 matches include Jiri Lehecka vs Borna Coric, Pablo Carreno Busta vs Pablo Llamas Ruiz, and Marcos Giron vs Mariano Navone. There are also broader prediction pieces covering Ben Shelton vs Ignacio Buse, Novak Djokovic vs Learner Tien, Daniil Medvedev vs Benjamin Bonzi, and Jakub Mensik vs Nicolas Jarry.
Day 1 men’s matchups and expert predictions
– Jiri Lehecka vs Borna Coric
– Lehecka is favored to march past the in-form but currently struggling Coric. Predictions see Lehecka advancing, with forecasts ranging from a tight 3-setter to a longer 4-set match depending on serving and consistency.
– Pablo Carreno Busta vs Pablo Llamas Ruiz
– Carreno Busta, a veteran who has endured ups and downs, is predicted to win as Llamas Ruiz makes his Grand Slam main-draw debut. Most pundits expect Carreno Busta to find the measure in a potentially grindy encounter, likely pushing it to four or five sets.
– Marcos Giron vs Mariano Navone
– Navone upset Giron in Winston-Salem, and the early rounds in New York could echo that result. Predictions lean toward Navone pulling off another win, though Giron’s current form and home crowd support keep the door open for a tougher match, potentially going the distance.
– Taylor Fritz vs Emilio Nava
– This is a rematch from Cincinnati, with Fritz entering as the higher-ranked, more established organizer of points. Nava has shown good form lately, but Fritz is expected to respond with solid serving and steady pressure, likely advancing in three or four sets.
What to watch
– Fritz aims to start strong in New York by serving with precision and maintaining pressure on Nava’s serve. The Cincinnati rematch angle adds intrigue as Nava looks to translate recent momentum into another upset bid.
– Lehecka’s recent ascent and consistency give him the edge against Coric, but the Croatian’s resilience and experience remain a factor.
– Carreno Busta’s level and match discipline will be tested against Llamas Ruiz, a crafty opponent who can cause trouble if Carreno Busta isn’t at peak focus.
– Navone’s hard-court readiness versus Giron’s aggressive baseline play could produce a grueling, long rally-filled match.
Expert takeaway and outlook
– Across the predictions, Lehecka, Carreno Busta, Navone, and Fritz emerge as favorites in their respective first-round ties, though each match holds potential for an upset if serves falter or momentum shifts late.
– The early rounds at the US Open often hinge on first-serve percentage and the ability to neutralize opponent pressure, factors that could swing these results.
Summary and a hopeful note
As the US Open kicks off, fans can expect competitive, high-energy tennis from veterans and rising talents alike. Fritz’s form, Lehecka’s upward trajectory, Carreno Busta’s experience, and Navone’s momentum on hard courts offer a mix of power and craft that could light up the early rounds. For viewers, Sunday promises an array of tight battles, potential upsets, and compelling storylines as the tournament unfolds.