The U.S. Open title appears to be somewhat up for grabs on the men’s side, mainly because Jannik Sinner is out and Carlos Alcaraz has not played in more than four months. A three-team panel weighs in with champion predictions.
Ricky: Taylor Fritz. The time is now for an American man to end the drought and finally win a Grand Slam title for the first time since Andy Roddick at the 2003 U.S. Open. Sinner is out, Alcaraz is rusty at best, Novak Djokovic did not look good at all in Cincinnati, and Alexander Zverev has not played well since Wimbledon. To say that the door is open would be a gross understatement. Even before the draw ceremony, I already tipped Fritz the most likely of the U.S. contingent to get over the hump. Now that I’ve seen the draw, it becomes an even more realistic possibility. The world No. 10 finds himself in a much weaker top half with Zverev — an opponent he owns — and opposite Alcaraz, Djokovic, Ben Shelton, Arthur Fils, and Frances Tiafoe. Fritz has already reached the final in New York (lost to Sinner in 2024); now he can go all the way.
Cheryl: Ben Shelton. Give me Shelton to lift his first major trophy two Sundays from now, over Fritz in the final. I debated calling it Shelton over Zverev, but Fritz is in the top half and I simply don’t think Zverev is going to get past him with the American playing at home. So, why Shelton? First, he’s a “big-match” player. Sure, he came up short in the last two editions of the USO, but he is a former semifinalist and he frequently makes his way to the business end in Melbourne. Second, he comes into the tournament with a title in Montreal but also well rested since he bowed out of Cincinnati early. With Shelton, it’s not a matter of “if” he breaks through at a major, it’s “when.” I think it’s his year. With Sinner out, Alcaraz rusty, and Djokovic in the twilight of his career, there’s no better time.
Pete: Alexander Zverev. Zverev fully knows how to go deep into Grand Slam draws. This year the German won Roland Garros, was a finalist at Wimbledon and a semifinalist in Melbourne. His best showing at the U.S. Open has come in 2020, when he reached the final and really should have defeated Dominic Thiem that day. In total, Zverev has reached the semis or better 12 times at majors dating back to 2020. After Wimbledon he went just 2-2 at the most recent Masters 1000s, however, and has played an abundance of tennis so far this year. This selection of Zverev to win the title is not made with much confidence — rather he seems to be the most capable of doing so compared to the rest of an unspectacular field this time around. The No. 1 seed would do well to cap off an impressive year with another major title.
who ya got?
Looks like Cheryl agrees with me 🙂
I’ve gone for Fritz d Tiafoe
I notice Gill Gross has Shelton on upset alert
He has Jodar over Alcaraz
Jodar over Alcaraz in a GS final!!! Either he goes out early or, if he gets to the final he wins!! He’s not losing to Jodar!!
Jodar in five . He did explain if Alcaraz got to the final he would probably change that . But made the point Alcaraz off his game was no Nadal or Djokovic mentally
I think Jodar will have his work cut out to reach the final neither him nor Fils have done much in the Slams.
Ive just watched the Cinci final and must say if Fils plays like that, he could win it all
I like Fils. But no guarantee he can play like that in a,slam. Will have to listen to Gill’s picks in their entirety but pretty sceptical about Jodar winning the whole thing.
Who did you pick for WTA?
Semis : Saba over Pegula
Gauff over Swiatek
F: Gauff over Saba
Confident in the four semifinalists
But can see Iga over Pegula in final
Unspectacular field!🫨 We’re only missing Sinner. The talent level is so high with the young ones coming through and others peaking.
Good comment re Fils there, Amy. I wasn’t expecting him to lose first round, especially to Tsitsipas! Looks like that guy got himself a more aerodynamic haircut. I also agree Jodar is at this stage unlikely to win 7 in a row at this level.
WTA I note Maja Chwalinska and Sara Bejlek are out first round. I’m watching Svitolina and Taylah Preston with interest this US Open.
Oooh! Stan just got a break!
Yes. Agree re Jodar , talented as he is, could go out in five sets which he not used to .
I picked a Fritz -Tiafoe final to win not because they the best players , too many uncertainties against the others. If Alcaraz gets to the final, he wins
Alcaraz was looking solid. His next match will be super interesting to watch!
Just noticed Ruud has pulled out, thats going to mess up the draw
Funny moment with Aryna talking about her detractors ‘ They can go…enjoy their lives’ 👌
Tiafoe’s already quitting, beginning of set 3. Classic Foe.
It’s a total banger of a match and they cut away from it in Australia to show the one-sided Osaka match. Hopefully there will be a deciding set for Tiafoe vs Damm and Osaka will serve it out before then.
Mann was playing very well. Gosh he’s tall. And Tiafoe looks great; match now level…
You guys have to stay up late. In Australia we’re seeing these epic matches at lunchtime!
All right, I’m at this stage and before R2 commences going to register my hunch that none of the three players mentioned here will win the 2026 US Open. My hunch is that it will be either Alcaraz or someone largely unexpected.
It’s not that I don’t think the above-mentioned three are great players. It’s just that I was already sceptical about Fritz because of his knee niggles and apparent psychological barriers, plus having watched Shelton and Zverev’s R1 matches I think they are beatable by people other than Alcaraz here.