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

What's at Stake

The final Grand Slam of the season begins at Flushing Meadows, where the world's elite players transition to the ultimate stage of the North American hard-court swing. For the top seeds, Day 1 is about establishing rhythm and avoiding a costly early exit, while lower-ranked competitors chase career-defining upsets on the sport's biggest stages. Success in the opening round is crucial for building the physical and mental momentum required to survive a grueling fortnight in New York.

Form Guide

Entering the tournament, the hard-court preparation has been highly competitive, with deep runs and title triumphs at the ATP and WTA 1000 events in Montreal, Toronto, and Cincinnati shaping the favorites' confidence. While some top contenders arrive in peak form after dominant summer campaigns, others are searching for consistency after early-round exits in the warm-up events. The transition to the unique, high-energy atmosphere and humid conditions of New York will immediately test everyone's physical readiness.

Key Players to Watch

• The Defending Men's Champion — Looking to assert dominance early on Arthur Ashe Stadium and signal their intent to retain the crown.
• The Women's World Number One — Eager to translate recent hard-court consistency into a dominant opening-round performance.
• A Rising American Star — Carrying the hopes of the home crowd on Louis Armstrong Stadium in a highly anticipated afternoon session.

Prediction

Expect the top-seeded favorites to navigate the opening day successfully, with the majority securing straight-sets victories as they adjust to the court speed. While a few lower-tier seeds may find themselves pushed to deciding sets by inspired underdogs, the elite contenders should comfortably advance to the second round. The marquee afternoon matches on the show courts are predicted to conclude in favor of the seeded players, setting a highly competitive tone for the rest of the tournament.