ATP Tour

Berrettini vs Wawrinka, Fils vs Tsitsipas headline US Open matches to watch

When the US Open draw was released Thursday in New York, there were several storylines that stood out, including defending champion Carlos Alcaraz and four-time tournament winner Novak Djokovic landing in the same half of the draw.

But there are plenty of intriguing first-round matches, too. ATPTour.com looks at five of the first-round matches to watch at Flushing Meadows.

Matteo Berrettini vs. Stan Wawrinka
Matteo Berrettini and Stan Wawrinka have only played once, and it coincidentally came two months ago in the first round at Wimbledon. The two stars went shot for shot in that tight encounter, with Berrettini emerging victorious in four tie-breaks.

They will meet again at the final major tournament of 2026, in a match that nearly did not happen. When qualifying began, Wawrinka was not in the main draw and he had not entered qualifying. But when Patrick Kypson withdrew due to injury, tournament organisers reallocated the American’s wild card to the Swiss, who will play in the final Grand Slam event of his career, 10 years on from lifting the trophy inside Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Berrettini showed his return to form at the past two majors, battling into the quarter-finals at Roland Garros and the third round at Wimbledon, clawing back into the Top 50 of the PIF ATP Rankings. The 30-year-old will try to dominate with his serve and keep Wawrinka from finding his power baseline game, while the 41-year-old Swiss will attempt to create one more magical moment in New York.

(10) Arthur Fils vs. Stefanos Tsitsipas
Arthur Fils arrives at the US Open as confident as ever, fresh off claiming his first ATP Masters 1000 title in Cincinnati. The big-hitting Frenchman enters the tournament as one of the most dangerous players in the field. The 22-year-old has also won all five of his previous matches against Tsitsipas, including a 6-0, 6-1 triumph against the Greek earlier this year in Miami.

But that does not make this matchup any less intriguing. Tsitsipas’ accolades include a Nitto ATP Finals title, two major finals, four additional Grand Slam semi-finals and 13 ATP Tour trophies overall. Fils will try to use his power to rush the 28-year-old. But if Tsitsipas can play his very best, will he be able to repel those attacks and take control himself?

(13) Lorenzo Musetti vs. Arthur Fery
One of the breakthrough stars of the ATP Tour in 2026 has been Arthur Fery, who made a dream run to the Wimbledon semi-finals. The Briton has continued to show that form, this week advancing to the semi-finals in Winston-Salem. But will it be enough to challenge Lorenzo Musetti?

While Fery has never competed in the US Open main draw, Musetti reached the quarter-finals last year and after training with Roger Federer this week will look to fire his one-handed backhand on all cylinders. This will be the pair’s first showdown.

(23) Andrey Rublev vs. Marin Cilic
Two former Top-5 players. Two big-hitting righties. Two longtime stars. Only one of Andrey Rublev and Marin Cilic can advance to the second round at Flushing Meadows.

Rublev leads their series 4-3, but they have not played since 2022 at Roland Garros, where Cilic won their quarter-final in a final-set tie-break. Both men will be trying to earn the first strike in rallies and push the other man back behind the baseline. Who will earn a confidence-boosting win in New York?

(12) Rafael Jodar vs. Thanasi Kokkinakis
Rafael Jodar was the No. 362 player in the PIF ATP Rankings one year ago. Now the Spaniard is World No. 13 and it seems it is a matter of when, not if, he will crack the Top 10. The 19-year-old has maintained his good form this North American summer, advancing to the Washington final and Montreal semi-finals. This will be his first time playing in front of the US Open crowd as a professional.

Could fans’ favourite Thanasi Kokkinakis throw a wrench in the teen’s New York plans? Currently outside the Top 400 and without a tour-level match win since Roland Garros, recent results are not on the Australian’s side. But the 30-year-old throughout his career has proven to enjoy an entertaining match on a big stage and has never feared the biggest moments. Kokkinakis will certainly try to produce a memorable show against Jodar.