US Open 2026 Second Round: When The Old Guard Returns And Dreams Are Made

The Arthur Ashe Stadium still carried the damp smell of the rain that lasted for hours last night. The fourth day of the 2026 US Open will have to resolve 14 unfinished first-round matches, plus 32 second-round matches. But for me, after witnessing Novak Djokovic leave Flushing Meadows in the opening round, everything has become unpredictable. The court may change owners, but the nights of losing one's voice calling out names are never sold. The second round this year carries a special character. Not only because the top seeds are gradually returning from injuries, but also because young players are standing before life-changing opportunities. I have followed tennis for 40 years, and I realize that the new generation watches highlights, while I watch the added time of a person's life. The match between Ben Shelton and Hubert Hurkacz will be the highlight of today's play. Shelton started slowly against Tallon Griekspoor in the first round, but his powerful serve and assertive baseline game have always been formidable weapons on New York's hard courts. Hurkacz, with his one-two punch serve and ability to finish points quickly, will be a real challenge. The Polish player has returned to the top 50 after a long struggle with injuries. I remember once writing in my notebook: "People remember the transfer fee, but I remember the captain's eyes when signing the final contract." For Hurkacz, every match now is a battle against his own body. I have witnessed many young players rushing back from ACL injuries and destroying the second phase of their careers. Hurkacz did not make that mistake. He patiently recovered, and the win over Damir Dzumhur in the first round is proof of a calculated return. However, in a five-set match, Shelton with home advantage and superior fitness will have the edge. My prediction: Shelton wins in five sets, but it will be a match where both players sweat to the last drop. Third seed Felix Auger-Aliassime will face Karen Khachanov in what could be one of the closest matches of the second round. Auger-Aliassime was not at his best in the first round, dropping a set to Rinky Hijikata, but his 17 aces offer plenty of encouragement. The Canadian's issue is his ability to convert break points and the effectiveness of his second serve against a dangerous opponent like Khachanov. Khachanov reached the US Open semifinals in 2026 but has not progressed beyond the second round in New York since. The Russian's recent form has been inconsistent, but his power and ability to strike through opponents could make this a difficult night for Auger-Aliassime. This is a match I will watch closely point by point, because football does not lie, only contracts know how to stay silent. Prediction: Khachanov wins in five sets. Carlos Alcaraz continues his title defense campaign at the US Open. The Spaniard made an impressive return against Roman Safiullin, but Jaime Faria could pose a bigger challenge if he maintains his confidence after a grueling five-set win over Jenson Brooksby. Alcaraz is certainly the heavy favorite, but his lack of competitive matches could be a weakness. Faria is in good form and has shown his ability to handle pressure. I have seen too many young players lose themselves in matches like this. Prediction: Alcaraz wins in five sets, but don't be surprised if Faria springs an upset. The match between Gael Monfils and Learner Tien will not lack entertainment and emotion. This is Monfils' final year in tennis, and he will give everything he has left. At 40, his performance against Adolfo Daniel Vallejos Alvarez in the first round was truly breathtaking. But Tien, the 14th seed, will not be easy to beat. The American had an easy win over Nuno Borges. Monfils will rely on his long levers to exploit weaknesses, but I believe Tien's freshness and endurance will help him survive in his home Grand Slam. I am old now, so I only believe what I have witnessed, not what people tell me. Prediction: Tien wins in five sets. Looking back at this entire second round, I notice one thing: the surprise stories of young players will quickly be "dismantled" by the top players. Their success is just an opening for another talent raid. But that is the law of professional tennis. What I care about more is how they face defeats and injuries. Because, in an empty stadium, I understand I am not just reporting – I am keeping the breath of belief alive.