Rune's US Open Showdown: Can He Avoid Another First-Round Exit?
Holger Rune faces Botic van de Zandschulp in the first round of the 2025 U.S. Open on Grandstand. All eyes are on Rune, the No. 9 seed, as he aims to break his streak of consecutive first-round exits at Flushing Meadows.
Rune's preparation has been intense, including training with tennis legend Andre Agassi. After a strong start to 2025, highlighted by an ATP 500 title in Barcelona and a final appearance at Indian Wells, Rune's form has dipped recently. This makes his opening match against van de Zandschulp a crucial test.
Van de Zandschulp, currently ranked No. 73, is a seasoned competitor with a career-high ranking of 22. He reached the final in Winston-Salem last week, proving his current form. He also boasts a win over Novak Djokovic at Indian Wells earlier this year, showing his potential for upsets.
Head-to-Head and Predictions
Rune holds a 2-0 advantage in their head-to-head record, including a memorable victory in the 2023 Munich final. Analysts predict a Rune victory, potentially in four or five sets, citing his offensive versatility and hard-court consistency. However, van de Zandschulp's recent form and Rune's past struggles at the U.S. Open could make this a challenging match.
How to Watch
The match is scheduled for approximately 3:15 PM Eastern on Grandstand at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Live coverage may be available on ESPN, with dedicated feeds for ESPN+ subscribers. An ESPN+ subscription costs $11.99 per month.
Other US Open Day 2 Matches
Day 2 of the U.S. Open also features a number of exciting matches, including Sebastian Baez vs Lloyd Harris and Alex Michelsen vs Francisco Comesana. Harris is favored in his match against Baez due to his powerful serve and forehand, while Michelsen is expected to advance against Comesana based on his recent form.
- Sebastian Baez vs Lloyd Harris: Prediction - Harris in 4 or 5
- Alex Michelsen vs Francisco Comesana: Prediction - Michelsen in 3 or 4