The US Open continues on Tuesday, with the remaining 32 men’s first-round matches on Day 2. It should be an action-packed day of tennis, and–as always, we here at LWOT share our thoughts on every match. We split the 32 matches between eight articles. At the bottom of the article we have links to our other Day 2 men’s US Open predictions. Predicting these matches are Damian Kust, Ateet Shrivastava, and Yesh Ginsburg. Who do you think will reach Round 2?
US Open Day 2 Men’s Predictions
Mariano Navone vs Daniel Altmaier
Damian
Navone still hasn’t won a main tour match off-clay and he hasn’t really come all that close either. This is the best opportunity he’s had so far and against an opponent who’s been badly out of form. Can we call him the favorite though? Probably not, Altmaier has been very okay in his US Open appearances so far.
Prediction: Altmaier in 4
Ateet
Alex Michelsen vs Eliot Spizzirri
Damian
Michelsen won’t have that much time to get his rest after the Winston-Salem run, but he should be quite high on confidence as well. Spizzirri is no joke and the college No. 1 from the last two seasons always plays well at the US Open. Matchup-wise he might have a harder time here than against a loose attacker like Fonseca though.
Prediction: Michelsen in 4
Ateet
Losing another ATP final should have hurt Michelsen but he has been one of the most consistent players in the North American hard courts swing. He is rising through the rankings and will fancy his chances to go further than he did last year. Eliot Spizzirri is playing in his first Grand Slam main draw after a fantastic performance in the qualification rounds. It’s a battle between two young Americans, where Michelsen is the more experienced player and should get the win.
Prediction: Michelsen in 4
Yesh
Two young Americans with real potential here, but Michelsen has found his stride already. Spizzirri is just jumping up to the tours now, having finished two straight years as the best college tennis player in the country. Don’t underestimate him.
Prediction: Spizzirri in 4
Taro Daniel vs Tristan Schoolkate
Damian
Schoolkate is pretty lucky with his draw here, against most players he would barely have a chance to win. But we know he’s going to throw the kitchen sink at his opponent offensively and Daniel has been quite poor in the last few months. It feels very open, let’s just stick to the more experienced player who can find a solution if his A-game doesn’t work.
Prediction: Daniel in 5
Ateet
Taro Daniel hasn’t looked like a threat whatsoever in his recent matches and is way off his best level, which he showed earlier in the year in Auckland. Tristan Schoolkate has been given a wild card and I like his chances to get his first Grand Slam win in his first try.
Prediction: Schoolkate in 5
Yesh
Schoolkate is making strides, as are several Australian players currently, but Daniel is probably too solid.
Prediction: Daniel in 4
Carlos Alcaraz vs Li Tu
Damian
This doesn’t seem like it will be a match. Alcaraz might have played the “worst match of his life” in Cincinnati (his words, not mine), but it would be unrealistic to expect him to repeat that level on a court that suits him far better. Tu is peaking at the moment and his last three events were fantastic, it’s just that he doesn’t have that explosive potential to hunt upsets.
Prediction: Alcaraz in 3
Ateet
Carlos Alcaraz is going for his third straight Grand Slams win and he has a good opening match where he shouldn’t have any problems. Li Tu is a qualifier from Australia who is in his second Grand Slam main draw. I can’t see him winning a set here.
Prediction: Alcaraz in 3
Yesh
Carlos Alcaraz is going to go deep here, and this draw won’t hurt him in the slightest.
Prediction: Alcaraz in 3
Two out-of-form players who thrive on clay courts but get exposed on quicker surfaces. Navone is yet to win a main draw match on this surface while Altmaier has lost his last six matches in all competitions. However, Altmaier has more match wins and experience on this surface which gives him the edge.
Prediction: Altmaier in 4
Yesh
This could be a good match. Navone looks like a future star on clay, but he still needs a lot more polish, especially on hard courts. That could make this fun.
Prediction: Navone in 4
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