Home / Sports / Tiafoe Favored in U.S. Open First Round
Tiafoe Favored in U.S. Open First Round
1 Sep
Summary
- Frances Tiafoe, ranked 11th, faces Martin Damm Jr. in the U.S. Open first round.
- Tiafoe won their previous U.S. Open encounter in 2025 in four sets.
- Oddsmakers favor Tiafoe, but Damm has a chance for an upset win.
Frances Tiafoe, currently ranked 11th, is set to compete in the first round of the 2026 U.S. Open against fellow American Martin Damm Jr. This encounter, scheduled for Monday night, August 31st, represents a rematch of their 2025 U.S. Open meeting, which Tiafoe won in four sets. Tiafoe, a consistent performer at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center with multiple quarterfinal and semifinal appearances, aims to rebound after a third-round exit in 2025.
Damm Jr., making his fourth Grand Slam appearance, recently reached the second round of Wimbledon. Oddsmakers have positioned Tiafoe as the favorite, with moneyline odds of -382, though these are tighter than for some other top players, suggesting Damm Jr. has a plausible chance at an upset. The total game line is set at 40.5.
Despite Damm Jr. taking a set in their previous U.S. Open match, Tiafoe's strong historical performance at this venue and his recent success at the Cincinnati Masters suggest he is the likely victor. The prediction favors Tiafoe winning, with a specific pick on him to win by 1.5 sets (-175), offering a slight cushion while anticipating a win in three or four sets.
