U.S. Open R1 previews and predictions: Humbert vs. Berrettini, Rublev vs. Ruusuvuori

Matteo Berrettini will be looking to right the ship at the U.S. Open at the end of a disappointing summer hard-court swing. He will kick off his bid in New York against Ugo Humbert. Andrey Rublev will also be in action against Emil Ruusuvuori.

(29) Ugo Humbert vs. Matteo Berrettini

Matteo Berrettini has endured a rough 2023 season. The world No. 36 is 11-10 on the year and his ranking has now dipped to the point that he isn’t even seeded at the U.S. Open. He had a good result at Wimbledon, where he made the round of 16, but he only won a single match between Toronto and Cincinnati.

While France’s Ugo Humbert is far from the worst seed Berrettini could have run into, it’s still not going to be a walk in the park for the Italian. Humbert has had a good summer hard-court swing. He played well in Atlanta, where he made the semifinals, and again in Washington, D.C. (quarters).

The courts in New York have traditionally suited Berrettini’s game well and he is defending quarterfinal points. But Humbert is actually playing better hard-court tennis at the moment. Expect this one to be a battle.

Cheryl pick: Humbert in 5

Ricky pick: Berrettini in 5

(8) Andrey Rublev vs. Emil Ruusuvuori

This is a rematch of the Cincinnati second round just two weeks ago. Andrey Rublev ran into Emil Ruusuvuori in his opener at the Cincinnati Masters. It was a thrillingly tight match, but with a 7-3 score in the final-set tiebreaker Ruusuvuori secured the upset win. The world No. 56 lost in the very next round to Alexei Popyrin.

Rublev didn’t just play poorly in Cincy; he was also knocked out of the Toronto Masters in his first match by Mackenzie McDonald, so he comes into the U.S. Open without a single match win on American hard courts. It all spells danger for the world No. 8.

This contest will come down to whether Rublev finds his form or not. When he is playing well, he has plenty of game to handle Ruusuvuori. Given the Russian’s crisis in confidence, however, this represents a good opportunity for the Finn to pocket another upset win.

Cheryl pick: Ruusuvuori in 4

Ricky pick: Ruusuvuori in 5