A few big matches to get into from Flushing Meadows today, and the standout one is obvious. We've got three picks from the US Open schedule, so let's get into it.
US Open Predictions
Ben Shelton vs Carlos Alcaraz
Head-to-head: Alcaraz leads 3-0
Shelton has never beaten Alcaraz, and two of those losses came in straight sets, including a pretty emphatic one at Wimbledon earlier this year. The crowd at Arthur Ashe will be loud and fully behind Shelton, and on a fast hard court he has the serve and the forehand to make life uncomfortable, but Alcaraz has handled all of that before. He's become so good at not panicking in rallies and absorbing the big shots and finding a way to drag you into longer exchanges.
I think Alcaraz drops a set here because Shelton will have his moments on this court, but the result feels pretty settled.
Prediction: Alcaraz in 4
Alexander Zverev vs Luciano Darderi
Head-to-head: 1-1
That head-to-head is a little deceiving. Darderi beat Zverev on clay in Rome last year, which is a very different animal from a hard court at a Grand Slam. On this surface, Zverev is just the far better player and Darderi hasn't shown much to suggest he can cause problems here. Zverev's first serve, which is particularly brutal on fast surfaces, is a nightmare to return and he's been solid enough throughout this tournament.
Prediction: Zverev in 3
Frances Tiafoe vs Alex Michelsen
Head-to-head: Tiafoe leads 2-0
Michelsen is young and has been improving steadily all season, but hard to see this being competitive at all. Tiafoe at the US Open is a different beast. He feeds off this crowd like almost nobody else on tour, and with the home support behind him and a 2-0 record over Michelsen already, the confidence will be there. That said, Michelsen has a big game and won't just hand it over, and Tiafoe can be inconsistent enough to let matches drag when he probably shouldn't. I feel like this one gets tight at some point.
Prediction: Tiafoe in 5
For full predictions on ATP and WTA matches today, check out Uppset.
Credit Image: © Sonia Moskowitz Gordon/ZUMA Press Wire