Watch US Open Tennis: Men's & Women's Singles First Round — Day 1 Free.

What's at Stake

The final Grand Slam of the year begins at Flushing Meadows, where the world's elite players transition to the grandest stage in New York to fight for the final major singles titles of the season. For the top seeds, Day 1 represents a crucial test to establish their rhythm on the fast hard courts and avoid a costly early exit under the intense media spotlight. With ranking points, massive prize money, and historic legacy on the line, these opening matches set the tone for the entire fortnight.

Form Guide

Entering the tournament, the hard-court summer swing has showcased a highly competitive field with several players capturing key warm-up titles in Toronto, Montreal, and Cincinnati. While some of the top seeds arrive in peak form with deep runs in the lead-up events, others are searching for momentum after early-round upsets or physical recovery. This contrast in preparation makes the opening round particularly volatile as players adjust to the unique daytime heat and humidity of New York.

Key Players to Watch

• Carlos Alcaraz — The dynamic Spaniard looks to recapture his dominant hard-court form and launch another deep run in New York with his signature aggressive baseline play.
• Iga Swiatek — The women's world number one aims to assert her dominance on the rapid courts of Flushing Meadows and secure her second US Open crown.
• Jannik Sinner — Armed with one of the most powerful baseline games on tour, the Italian enters the tournament as a formidable threat to lift the trophy.

Prediction

Expect the top-seeded favorites to navigate the opening day with relatively comfortable straight-sets victories as they look to conserve energy for the grueling rounds ahead. While a few lower-ranked players will likely push their seeded opponents to tiebreaks or tight four-set battles, the elite contenders should ultimately prevail due to their superior big-match experience. The day will likely conclude with the marquee names safely through to the second round, setting up an exciting fortnight of tennis.