A blockbuster U.S. Open night-session battle in Louis Armstrong Stadium features Learner Tien and Jakub Mensik on Saturday. The winner will go up against either Karen Khachanov or Benjamin Bonzi in the last 16.
(17) Jakub Mensik vs. (14) Learner Tien
Tien and Mensik will be going head-to-head for the second time in their careers and for the first time on the main circuit when they clash in round three of the U.S. Open on Saturday night. Their only previous meeting came at the 2024 NextGen ATP Finals, where Tien survived a 4-3(6), 4-3(3), 2-4, 2-4, 4-3(8) thriller.
Another fun one should be in the cards, and this time the stakes are much higher — a berth in the last 16 of a major, to be exact. It would be Mensik’s third fourth-round slam appearance of his career and his third of the season, highlighted by a semifinal run at Roland Garros. So far this fortnight the 18th-ranked Czech has defeated Shintaro Mochizuki and Jurij Rodionov in routine fashion. Tien, an Australian Open quarterfinalist at the beginning of 2026, destroyed Nuno Borges 6-4, 6-1, 6-2 and then ended Monfils’ U.S. Open career with a 6-3, 6-4, 6-3 victory. The 15th-ranked American is in slightly better form, has home-court advantage, and should benefit from having just played a night match in Louis Armstrong Stadium against Monfils. Mensik’s serve and backhand will almost certainly keep him competitive, but Tien will likely have the edge.
Pick: Tien in 5
Karen Khachanov vs. Benjamin Bonzi
Khachanov was a sizable underdog against Felix Auger-Aliassime on Thursday, but the 30-year-old Russian can never be discounted at a Grand Slam. He has reached at least the quarterfinals at all four majors, including the semis at both the U.S. Open and Australian Open. Is another deep run in the cards in New York? It’s possible after Khachanov benefitted from an error-filled performance by Auger-Aliassime to pull off a 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 upset.
Up next for the world No. 50 on Saturday is a fourth meeting with Bonzi, who has lost all of their previous matchups. However, one of those was way back in 2025 and they have not faced each other since 2022. Bonzi is no stranger to moderate success at the hard-court majors; this is his third trip to the third round in his last four U.S. Open appearances and he has twice reached the same stage in Melbourne. Coming off a semifinal showing in Winston-Salem, the 30-year-old Frenchman has stayed hot with convincing wins over Alex Molcan and Winston-Salem champion Ignacio Buse. With Bonzi rolling and Khachanov’s 2026 form lackluster at best, and upset is in play.
Pick: Bonzi in 5
WWW?
Are any of you actually watching any of the Zverev matches? I watched both so far and had serious trouble staying awake for long stretches, even though I get to see them at midday in Australia. I swear if Channel Nine don’t show Tien-Mensik tomorrow morning instead of the Zverev-Tabilo match, I’m going out all day instead.
Zverev Goat.
Zv not my favorite to watch either!…but for today’s matches, Tien in 4; Knov in 4
How did you pick Bonzi over Khachanov?
ANYONE over Khachanov is usually a great pick
Khachanov solid player. Would rather have someone rudimentary that tries hard, than someone with skills, that doesn’t try hard (Fritz).
I think Khachanov is mentally very tough even when things don’t go his way but Fritz isn’t. Also Fritz seems to mentally go AWOL randomly. The last result didn’t surprise me because I’ve seen that pattern with Fritz multiple times previously.