We are one day into the US Open, and the men’s draw is now even more wide open than it was initially after Novak Djokovic’s shocking exit.
Djokovic lost to Mariano Navone, ranked 49th in the world, amid physical struggles in a four-hour and 36-minute contest.
With Jannik Sinner‘s withdrawal and Carlos Alcaraz‘s fitness still unknown after four months on the sidelines, there is a huge opportunity for several ATP stars to capture a maiden Grand Slam.
Where do you rank Ben Shelton on the list of favorites for the US Open title?
He has never won a Grand Slam title…
There is also a chance for an American man to end the 23-year-long drought at majors.
Andy Roddick remains the last US man to capture a Grand Slam singles title, but Coco Gauff’s former coach Brad Gilbert thinks two compatriots can hoist the trophy at Flushing Meadows this year.
Brad Gilbert picks the Americans with the best shot in New York
Speaking on Tennis Channel, Gilbert said: “I’m feeling pretty good about the American men. It’s been 23 years since we’ve had an American winner. It’s been 23 long years, I coached the last winner in Roddick.
“So we have six Americans in the top 21. I feel like we’ve got a strong possibility. I still need to see what Carlos does in the first week.
“I think if he gets through the first week, he will be a heck of a lot more dangerous in the second week. So it is two tournaments. But I do believe that the buzz in the locker room, this tournament is completely open.
“If Carlos is healthy and Sinner is there, nobody’s got a shot. So I do feel like, you know, the six Americans, I think one of them’s got a great shot.
What would you consider a success for Carlos Alcaraz at the US Open?
He hasn’t played since April…
“You know, my first thought is Ben [Shelton]. Everybody wants to say Ben. And expectation is on Ben. I looked at his draw and the second round potentially is Hurkacz.
“And with Ben, everything is about the return. The serve is amazing. But what his Achilles is, is not breaking serves sometimes. And when he doesn’t break, he’s vulnerable.
“So if I probably had to push the chips all forward, you know, I probably would choose Taylor Fritz, because I feel like he’s still kind of under the radar. And I think that he kind of likes to play with a chip on his shoulder when they talk about other Americans. And we kind of forget about him.
“And then Learner Tien. Fast learner, I call him. He’s kind of sneaky. And Michael Chang has done a great job with him. So I would probably single out those two.”
Brad Gilbert discusses Frances Tiafoe’s chances at the US Open
Asked where he would rank Frances Tiafoe in his list of Americans at the US Open, Gilbert replied: “I would put him a little lower.
“You know, I put him in the same mix as Tommy Paul and [Brandon] Nakashima, and he’s come out of nowhere. But I do probably as much as those Americans.
“[Arthur] Fils has really surprised me with how quickly he’s played. And then the other one we haven’t talked about- probably if I got a good price on him, I might be tempted by him is Rafael Jodar.”
Tiafoe, ranked 12th in the world currently, enters the US Open high on confidence, having just made the final of the Cincinnati Open.
He takes on Martin Damm Jr in his first-round match at the 2026 US Open.
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