The stars and stripes will be flying high on Day 2 with a total of 9 American men in action including Tiafoe, Opelka and Korda. One of them, big serving Reilly Opelka facing the toughest task of all and that is taking on former champion Carlos Alcaraz. There will not be an empty seat in the house for the night session!
This will be the first meeting between the pair and that may work in Opelka’s favour. Getting a handle of his serve can be very difficult but I do not think that will be the case here with Alacaraz. The Spaniard was outstanding at the Cincinnati Masters and relished the fast conditions there. So much so that he beat Zverev 6-4 6-3 despite the German making 75% of 1st serves. The courts play slower at night here and that will make it harder for Opelka to get free points on serve. I also expect Carlos to be in the zone after an unexpected loss in the first week last year.
Bet: Alcaraz -6.5 ($2.10)
The one and only Grand Slam match win over Federico Gomez came at the French Open earlier this year and he is clearly a late bloomer. As an Argentine it comes as no surprise that his best results have come on clay but he did earn his place in the draw here via qualifiers. Moreover, we do not know what we will get from Draper as an arm injury has kept the Brit off the court. He hasn’t played since Wimbledon and on that alone I am happy to have something on Gomez to win a set.
Bet: Gomez To Win A Set – YES ($2.88)
This is a battle between two men who have been well below their best in recent months. Ruud is a former finalist here (2022) but is still hampered by a knee injury – as indicated by recent losses to Borges, Cerundolo and Rinderknech. It opens the door for Ofner to cause an upset but he will need to improve on his recent form. Has lost his last 6 matches on tour but did beat Tommy Paul at Wimbledon and pushed Khachanov to five sets at the French Open. Am predicting a long match here. Overs.
Bet: Over 35.5 games ($1.80)
Few players love the bright lights and the big stage as much as Tiafoe. His results tell the story as this is his best major by a clear margin. Has two semi finals to his name here (2022 and 2024) and has made the 4th Round or better in each of his last 5 appearances here. There is one concern though and that is his record against Nishioka. The lefty from Japan has won the last two meetings between them – both of which came on an American hard court and in the last 14 months. There is clearly a matchup issue for Frances here that cannot be ignored. Backing the Overs and Nishioka to win 2+ sets.
Bet: Over 31.5 games ($1.83)
Value: Nishioka To Win More Than 1 Set – YES ($4.00)
Opelka v Alcaraz: Alcaraz -6.5 ($2.10)
Gomez v Draper: Gomez To Win A Set – YES ($2.88)
Ofner v Ruud: Over 35.5 games ($1.80)
Tiafoe v Nishioka: Over 31.5 games ($1.83)
Fonseca v Kecmanovic: Kecmanovic +3.5 ($1.80)
Van de Zandshulp v Rune: Over 36.5 games ($1.80)
Norrie v Korda: Korda WIN ($1.50)
Khachanov v Bassavareddy: Khachanov -1.5 Sets ($1.55)
Passaro v Cobolli: Cobolli -5.5 ($1.73)
Prizmic v Rublev: Over 37.5 games ($1.91)
Duckworth v Boyer: Duckworth WIN ($1.67)
Baez v Harris: Baez +2.5 ($1.95)
Comesana v Michelsen: Set 1 Tiebreak – YES ($4.60)
Munar v Faria: Under 36.5 games ($1.85)
Humbert v Walton: Walton +5.5 ($1.67)
Bellucci v Shang: Shang WIN ($2.20)
Brooksby v Vukic: Over 35.5 games ($1.70)