The US Open begins on Monday with a whopping 32 men’s matches on Day 1 of play. There is a ton of action around the grounds of the Billie Jean King Tennis Center, and our writers here at LWOT will share their thoughts on all of the matches with you. We split the 32 matches between eight articles. Our other articles feature Novak Djokovic vs Alexandre Muller, Taylor Fritz vs Steve Johnson, Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Milos Raonic, Dominic Thiem vs Alexander Bublik, Christopher Eubanks vs Soon-Woo Kwon, Casper Ruud vs Emilio Nava, and Tommy Paul vs Stefano Travaglia. Predicting this set of matches are Damian Kust, Shane Black, and Jordan Reynolds.
US Open Day 1 Men’s Predictions
Sebastian Korda vs Marton Fucsovics
Damian:
They played in Winston-Salem last week with Korda coming out on top in two. Since then, the American has suffered another injury scare though. I’m gonna trust that he’ll be fine for the US Open and who’s winning this match then? Probably him again, but don’t be surprised if it’s one of the best matches of the round.
Prediction: Korda in 5
Shane:
Sebastian Korda beat Marton Fucsovics 7-6 6-3 last week in Winston-Salem. The American subsequently withdrew from the event due to injury. If Korda is not 100% fit, he will struggle against Fucsovics. This match should be close regardless, so I’ll take the security of a fully-fit Fucsovics.
Prediction: Fucsovics in 4
Jordan:
Hopefully Korda is fully fit for this one. He had a nasty fall during his epic win against Richard Gasquet in Winston-Salem and withdrew from his semifinal as a precaution. Fucsovics is a clean ball striker and no pushover. Also despite his wins in Winston-Salem, Korda has not looked been at his best for many weeks now. I do think he will win this contest if he is fit and ready though.
Prediction: Korda in 4
Juan Manuel Cerundolo vs Ilya Ivashka
Damian:
Winston-Salem last week was the best we’ve seen Cerundolo play on hard courts. He took that slightly more aggressive mindset he has nowadays and really brought it to his opposition. Would this be enough for Ivashka? With the Belarusian’s uninspiring form, it’s probably not out of the question.
Prediction: Cerundolo in 5
Shane:
Not much separates these two in the rankings. Ilya Ivashka is the much better hardcourt player, but Juan Manuel Cerundolo picked up confidence last week with a run to the Winston-Salem quarterfinals. Ivashka is 0-4 in his last four matches. I’ll side with the current form of Cerundolo.
Prediction: Cerundolo in 5
Jordan:
The younger Cerundolo is set to make his first appearance at Flushing Meadows. He has mostly been a clay court specialist so far in his short career, but now has a chance to show he is an all rounder. It has not been Ivashka’s best season so far. But he does have the memories of reaching the fourth round in New York las year. I think a greater familiarity will see Ivashka over the line.
Prediction: Ivashka in 4
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Alexei Popyrin vs Dominic Stricker
Damian:
This was also a first-round matchup at Wimbledon and Stricker won it in five. We’ve seen a ton of growth from him this year and it was on full display again in the qualifying here. He’s capable of taking down Popyrin again, but it’s very likely going to be a tight battle again with their amazing serves.
Prediction: Stricker in 5
Shane:
Dominic Stricker took down Alexei Popyrin in a first-round, five-set battle at Wimbledon last month. Popyrin holds a 9-2 record since that loss and will be eager to avenge his defeat on Monday. I like the serving prowess and first-strike power to get him over the finish line.
Prediction: Popyrin in 4
Jordan:
Popyrin’s last two tournaments have been memorable. He won his second ATP title on the clay courts of Umag, and then made it all the way to the quarterfinal in Cincinnati as a lucky loser. Stricker has done well to qualify, which included an epic win 13-11 in a final set championship tiebreak. I am actually backing Stricker here to defy the ranking difference. Despite his big serve, Popyrin often plays best on slow courts where he has time to set up his shots. A medium speed hard court might be better suited to Stricker.
Prediction: Stricker in 4
Dominic Thiem vs Alexander Bublik
Damian:
Thiem is coming off that first final in a while in Kitzbuhel, but it remains to be seen whether that can be maintained. Last year, he was actually doing better on hard courts than on clay. This isn’t quite holding up in 2023 and Bublik should have this one on his racket. Thiem doesn’t have the game to deter him at the moment.
Prediction: Bublik in 4
Shane:
Alexander Bublik and Dominic Thiem square off in what sets up to be one of the best Round 1 matches of the tournament. Bublik had a strong grass season but has not won a match since Wimbledon. Thiem reached his first ATP final in three years earlier this month. That said, he is 0-6 on hard courts this year. Bublik will find a way.
Prediction: Bublik in 4
Jordan:
I think this match is the highlight of the first rounds on the men’s side. Thiem has not played a tournament since his run to the final on the clay courts of Kitzbuhel, after withdrawing from Winston-Salem due to illness. The Austrian may be slightly undercooked for this one. It is near impossible to know what to expect from the mercurial Bublik. I am going to give him a very slight advantage though, mostly due to Thiem’s lack of recent matches.
Prediction: Bublik in 5
Main Photo Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
