You can view our latest predictions for all the matches on Monday including Ben Shelton’s as well.
US Open Day 2 PredictionsCarlos Alcaraz vs Roman SafiullinZain:In his first match back from what has been almost a five-month layoff, Carlos Alcaraz takes on Roman Safiullin, a player who has defeated the Spaniard before.
But ultimately, I feel Alcaraz would not be playing this tournament if he did not think he could win it.
Prediction: Alcaraz in 4Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard vs Jurij RodionovZain:Rodionov showed a good level in the qualifying round, making the main draw after some hard-fought victories.
Now he faces Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, who still possesses one of the biggest serves on tour.
Day 2 at the US Open brings a compelling slate of first-round men’s matches, with Carlos Alcaraz making his return to Grand Slam competition and several intriguing matchups on the schedule. Our writers break down the action and offer their predictions for the 2026 US Open. You can view our latest predictions for all the matches on Monday including Ben Shelton’s as well.
US Open Day 2 Predictions
Carlos Alcaraz vs Roman Safiullin
Zain:
In his first match back from what has been almost a five-month layoff, Carlos Alcaraz takes on Roman Safiullin, a player who has defeated the Spaniard before. This is quite a tricky matchup for Alcaraz if he is not up to speed, and I expect him to be rusty to start things off. But ultimately, I feel Alcaraz would not be playing this tournament if he did not think he could win it. With that in mind, he should ultimately find a way as the match progresses.
Prediction: Alcaraz in 4
Ilemona:
Carlos Alcaraz is defending his title after more than four months away from competitive tennis due to a wrist injury, so rust is a real concern in his first match back. Roman Safiullin reached the fourth round at Wimbledon this summer and beat Alcaraz on hard courts back in 2023, so their head-to-head is tied at one apiece and Safiullin knows he can cause problems. The long layoff adds real uncertainty to an opening-night clash that could be tighter than the seeding suggests.
Prediction: Alcaraz in 4
Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard vs Jurij Rodionov
Zain:
Rodionov showed a good level in the qualifying round, making the main draw after some hard-fought victories. Now he faces Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, who still possesses one of the biggest serves on tour. Unfortunately for the Frenchman, his level outside of his serve this year has been quite below average. If Rodionov gets into rallies and returns well, he can win this match.
Prediction: Rodionov in 5
Ilemona:
Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard brings one of the biggest serves in the game to Flushing Meadows, which is always a dangerous weapon on the fast hard courts. Jurij Rodionov qualified for the main draw and will try to extend rallies and find rhythm, but this is their first career meeting so Rodionov will need to solve the serve quickly. Tiebreaks are likely, and Mpetshi Perricard’s firepower should be the difference.
Prediction: Mpetshi Perricard in 5
Valentin Vacherot vs Aleksandar Kovacevic
Zain:
Injuries have held Vacherot back since the end of the clay season, and he has not looked like the player he was to start the year since then. Kovacevic is a tricky matchup, as the American is playing some good tennis behind his serve and forehand. I think this match can go long, and if it does, the American should be favored here.
Prediction: Kovacevic in 4
Ilemona:
Valentin Vacherot has enjoyed a breakout 2026 season that pushed him into the top 25 and earned him a seed here. Aleksandar Kovacevic will have plenty of crowd support in New York, but he has spent much of the season outside the main tour spotlight. Vacherot’s confidence from a career-best year should carry him through in their first meeting.
Prediction: Vacherot in 3
Main Photo Credit: Taya Gray/The Desert Sun / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
