Tomas Machac ended his three-match losing streak in emphatic style in his New York opener, demolishing Luca Nardi 6-3, 6-1, 6-1.
2025 ATP Tour
Grand Slam Tennis
US Open Tennis
USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Centre, New York City (Outdoor Hardcourts)
Selected 2nd Round Matches-27th August
Tomas Machac (21) 0.9 vs Joao Fonesca 0.88
He was commanding on serve, firing ten aces and winning 78% of points on his first delivery. He was impeccable from the back of the court, hitting 25 winners to 17 unforced errors. The versatile baseliner started the year in encouraging style, reaching the 3rd round of the Aussie Open before claiming his maiden ATP Tour title at the Mexican Open. That ATP 500 win catapulted him into the top 20 in the world for the first time in his career. But he has suffered since then, withdrawing from a host of tournaments due to lingering niggles. Machac seems to understand the speed of these surfaces, reaching the 4th round here last year. Next up for Machac is Brazilian NextGen sensation Joao Fonesca. The 2024 NextGen Finals champ started this season like a man on a mission, winning two Challengers while claiming that maiden ATP Tour title in Argentina. He cooled off considerably since then but has been knocking on the tour at Grand Slam level, reaching the 3rd round in Paris and London. He looked brilliant in his main-draw US Open debut match vs Kecmanovic, hitting 51 winners to 32 unforced errors in a 7-6, 7-6, 6-3 victory. The hyper-aggressive Brazilian seems intent on unleashing his full potential in this crazy New York environment.
The Verdict: Fonesca to win in four sets at 3.7– This will be their first career meeting. I think that Fonseca’s pure power- especially on that forehand wing- could cause major problems for Machac. Machac’s forehand isn’t elite and could get exposed in the forehand-to-forehand rallies. Fonesca looked kinetic against Kecmanovic and Machac has been struggling for form in recent months.
Jordan Thompson 1.44 vs Adrian Mannarino 0.54
This could be an interesting tussle between two guys who are often left behind by the more explosive hitters. 31-year-old Aussie Jordan Thompson overcame a mid-match wobble to see off combustible Frenchman Corentin Moutet 6-2, 6-4, 1-6, 6-3. Thompson- who has twice reached the final 16 in New York- launched a blistering attack on US Open officials following his win, lambasting the balls as too soft. Outside of a 4th round run at this year’s Wimbledon Championships, Thompson has struggled to replicate the form that saw him reach two finals last year (he won his maiden ATP Tour title in Los Cabos). French lefty Adrian Mannarin advanced to the 2nd round courtesy of a towering 7-5, 6-4, 6-0 win over 29th seed Tallon Griekspoor. He served wonderfully throughout, winning 89% of his first-serve points. The dexterous Mannarino had the ball on a string, striking 31 winners to just 19 unforced errors. The 37-year-old Frenchman- who won three titles in 2023- has enjoyed a largely disastrous campaign. However, he stared to pick up some steam in the
leadup to this event, beating the likes of Tomas Machac and Tommy Paul en route to a round of 16 finish in Cincy.
The Verdict: Mannarino to win in five at 2.95– Mannarino leads an intense rivalry 6-4, thrashing the Aussie at the recent Cincinnati Open. Both of these guys are industrious players who look to cover plenty of ground, making up for their lack of true weaponry. That leads me to believe that this could be a five-set affair with plenty of ebbs and flows. I just think that Mannarino’s greater natural variety could see him through in the latter stages.
Benjamin Bonzi 0.91 vs Marcos Giron 0.86
It will be interesting to see how mercurial Frenchman Bonzi bounces back after that hysterical, controversial five-set win over Daniil Medvedev. Bonzi wasn’t even at full fitness against Medvedev but raced into a two-set lead. He squandered a match-point in the 3rd and Medvedev clawed his way back into proceedings. The night, marred by various chaotic incidents, ended with Bonzi holding off a clearly unhinged Medvedev. Bonzie hit 36 winners to 64 unforced errors in one of the messiest Grand Slam wins you are ever likely to see. Next up for giant-killing Bonzi is American Marcos Giron. Giron took a remarkably similar route into this year’s 2nd round, nearly throwing away a two-set lead before overcoming Mariano Navone in five sets. Giron played more economic tennis than Bonzi, hitting 41 winners to 45 unforced errors. Giron likes to incorporate variety into his game, using plenty of slice and airballs to disrupt the rhythm of rallies. This should be an interesting clash that could feature some unique rallies.
The Verdict: Bonzi to win in four at 3.7- This will be their first career meeting. While Giron is American, I’m sure that Bonzi will enjoy some support following Medvedev’s shenanigans. Giron is probably more solid but I think that Bonzi has a tad more flair (as evidenced by his Moselle Open victory last year). I think Bonzi’s superior shot-making could come to the fore against Giron (I’m sure that Bonzi will also prefer playing against a more mentally stable opponent).
