Watch US Open — Day 1 Morning Session Free.

What's at Stake

The final Grand Slam of the year begins at Flushing Meadows, where players from across the globe compete for the prestigious US Open title and crucial ranking points. As the opening round of the tournament, Day 1 is vital for establishing momentum and avoiding an early exit in the grueling New York heat. For top seeds and qualifiers alike, these initial matches set the tone for a fortnight of intense knockout competition.

Form Guide

Heading into the hard-court major, the field arrives with varying levels of preparation following the summer swing. Several contenders have found their rhythm during the recent Masters and WTA 1000 events, while others are searching for consistency after transitioning from the clay and grass seasons. Early-round matches often test physical endurance and adaptability, making recent match play on North American hard courts a key indicator of readiness.

Key Players to Watch

• Carlos Alcaraz — The dynamic Spaniard looks to assert his dominance early on the fast New York courts where he has previously tasted championship success.
• Coco Gauff — As a crowd favorite, the American star aims to leverage the home-court advantage and her elite defensive skills to secure a smooth opening victory.
• Jannik Sinner — The powerful Italian enters the tournament as a major threat, relying on his baseline precision and formidable hard-court pedigree to navigate the early rounds.

Prediction

Expect the top-seeded players to navigate the opening morning session with relatively comfortable straight-sets victories as they adjust to the court speed and daytime conditions. While lower-ranked players and qualifiers will push for early upsets, the elite contenders should utilize their experience to secure passage to the second round. A clean sweep of the morning's stadium court matches by the tournament favorites is the most likely outcome.