U.S. Open R1 previews and predictions: Mensik vs. Jarry, Davidovich Fokina vs. Shechenko

It will be a historic Sunday start at the 2025 U.S. Open, with Czech Jakub Mensik in action against Chile’s Nicolas Jarry and Spainiard Alejandro Davidovich Fokina taking on Kazakhstan’s Alexander Shevchenko.

(16) Jakub Mensik vs. Nicolas Jarry

This is one of those matches that has the potential to be a signature “early battle at the U.S. Open” epic. I say potential, because it depends which version of Nico Jarry shows up. If it’s the player that came up through Wimbledon qualies, upset Holger Rune, and made it all the way to the round of 16, we’re all in for a treat. If it’s the one who lost in the second round of the Birmingham Challenger? Not so much.

Jakub Mensik sits at a career high of No. 16 in the world. The new star from Czechia pocketed his first Masters 1000 title in Miami earlier this season. His summer hasn’t been as impressive, but that is partly due to a stomach bug that tore through the ranks at the Cincinnati Masters last week. Like Jannik Sinner and Alexander Zverev, Mensik fell ill and had to retire from his third-round match against Luca Nardi.

Assuming Mensik is healthy, look for the No. 16 seed to come through. He might have to fight for it, though.

Cheryl pick: Mensik in 4

Ricky pick: Jarry in 5

(18) Alejandro Davidovich Fokina vs. Alexander Shevchenko

Spain’s Alejandro Davidovich Fokina is sitting at a career-high 18th in the world. He is surely playing some of the best hard-court tennis of his career. And yet, his title frustrations continue. The Spaniard endured a heartbreaking loss in the Washington, D.C. final at the hands of Alex de Minaur. He squandered three championship points before going down in a third-set tiebreaker.

Davidovich Fokina, affectionately called “Foki” by fans, is nestled in a favorable section of the draw. Daniil Medvedev, whose form has fallen into the abyss, is his next closest seed. His first-round opponent, Alexander Shevchenko, is a talented player, but his fitness is in question. The world No. 89 made his way to the final of the Sumter Challenger last week, but he retired mid-match due to a knee injury. As Davidovich Fokina is one of the fittest player on tour, a knee concern is bad news for Shevchenko.

Cheryl pick: Davidovich Fokina in 3

Ricky pick: Davidovich Fokina in 3