The US Open 2026 is poised to deliver thrilling tennis action as it opens with several key matchups. Notably, Carlos Alcaraz, the reigning champion, will face Roman Safiullin in the first round, marking his return after a four-month hiatus due to a wrist injury. This match is particularly significant as Alcaraz seeks to defend his title amidst uncertainties regarding his form.

Alcaraz's absence has raised questions about his readiness, especially against Safiullin, who recently showcased impressive performances at Wimbledon. The two players have a balanced head-to-head record of 1-1, indicating that Safiullin will not shy away from the challenge. His resilient playing style and powerful baseline shots could pose difficulties for Alcaraz, particularly in the early stages of the match. However, the US Open's best-of-five format may favor the experienced Alcaraz, who is expected to regain control as the match progresses. Predictions suggest Alcaraz will win 3-1.

In another intriguing matchup, Learner Tien will take on Nuno Borges. Tien, currently ranked 15th in the world, is riding high after a strong performance at the Canada Open, while Borges, ranked 41st, faces a daunting challenge. Tien leads their head-to-head encounters 2-0, having never lost a set to Borges, including a swift victory at the Australian Open earlier this year. With Tien's explosive serve and the advantage of playing at home, he is favored to win decisively, with predictions of a 3-0 victory.

Lastly, Iga Swiatek, a former world number one, will compete against Xiyu Wang. Despite Swiatek's recent championship win in Toronto, she has struggled with consistency this season, currently sitting at number 8 in the world rankings. Wang, ranked 82nd, has been in good form, winning 7 of her last 10 matches. Although Swiatek has a 2-0 lead in their previous encounters, Wang's tenacity could make this match more competitive than expected. Swiatek is still expected to advance, with a predicted score of 2-0.