Thursday brings the completion of second-round action at Flushing Meadows with the top half of the men's draw taking center stage. The defending champion Jannik Sinner headlines a packed schedule that features intriguing matchups across all courts, including a potential banana skin against Alexei Popyrin and Alexander Zverev's clash with Jacob Fearnley. Notably absent is fifth seed Jack Draper, who withdrew due to shoulder discomfort despite preparing at the US Open grounds, leaving Belgian Zizou Bergs with a walkover into the third round. With temperatures expected to remain moderate and the courts playing fast, the day promises explosive baseline battles and crucial tests for the tournament favorites navigating through an increasingly dangerous field. Let's dive deep into 5 most interesting match-ups of the day choosen and prepared by us for the Day 5 of US Open Men's Singles.
Sinner vs. Popyrin - Champion's early examination
Top seed Jannik Sinner enters his second-round encounter with Alexei Popyrin carrying the weight of defending champion expectations after his commanding 6-1, 6-1, 6-2 demolition of Vit Kopriva. The Italian's 83% first-serve points won and mere four games dropped marked his second-fewest in a Grand Slam match, demonstrating the clinical efficiency that has defined his 32-4 season. Despite concerns about a recent virus that forced his Cincinnati final retirement, Sinner showed no physical limitations in his opener, though a taped blister on his right ring finger remains a minor concern.
Popyrin arrives as a dangerous floater fresh off his 6-4, 6-4, 7-6(4) victory over Emil Ruusuvuori, extending his solid hard-court form that includes the Canadian Open title just weeks ago. The 36th-ranked Australian possesses the heavy groundstrokes and aggressive mentality that troubled Novak Djokovic in this same round last year, leading to one of 2024's biggest upsets. His 87% first-serve points won and 19 aces against Ruusuvuori provides the serving foundation to potentially disrupt Sinner's rhythm, particularly if the defending champion's fitness wavers.
The head-to-head stands at 2-0 for Sinner, including a dominant 6-2, 6-4, 7-6 victory at the Australian Open earlier this year. However, Popyrin does not play as impressive season as last year when he won the ATP 1000 in Canada, but he backed up this run a little bit moving to quarterfinals in Montreal a few weeks ago. he Australian's ability to redirect pace and attack second serves will test whether Sinner has fully recovered from his recent health issues. While the Italian's superior court coverage and baseline consistency should ultimately prevail, expect Popyrin to create uncomfortable moments with his power game.
Zverev vs. Fearnley - Cruise control mode
Third seed Alexander Zverev's quest for his maiden Grand Slam continues against British qualifier Jacob Fearnley. The German's 6-2, 7-6(4), 6-4 victory over Alejandro Tabilo showcased improved composure, saving all six break points faced including a crucial set point at 5-6 in the second. Zverev's 20th hard-court win of 2025 came despite a 1 a.m. start time, demonstrating the mental fortitude that has carried him to consecutive semifinals in Toronto and Cincinnati.
Fearnley advanced through qualifying before defeating Roberto Bautista Agut 7-6(2), 4-6, 7-5, 6-4 in a four-hour first-round battle. The 23-year-old Briton's prevailed against Spanish veteran with some aggressive and effective baseline play. Their previous meetings both came on hard courts this season, with Zverev prevailing in straight sets at the Australian Open. Fearnley's recent form is not going upwards, as the win against Bautista Agut was just second out of last 10 matches. The Brit has also lost all the 3 encounters as the pre-match underdog in recent ranking period, which does not gives him bright hopes for any other result than comfortable win of the German.
Tsitsipas vs. Altmaier - Greek's resurgence test
26th seed Stefanos Tsitsipas seeks to build on his comeback from a set behind to 4-6, 6-0, 6-1, 7-6(5) victory over Alexandre Muller when facing Germany's Daniel Altmaier on Grandstand. The Greek's turnaround after dropping the opening set showcased improved mental resilience, with scoring 84% of first-serve points and 16 aces. Tsitsipas' 21-16 season record reflects struggles for consistency, with his Dubai title in February remaining his sole 2025 triumph followed by few recent disappointments.
Altmaier survived a marathon 7-5, 6-7(3), 7-6(7), 6-7(5), 6-4 victory over Hamad Medjedovic in nearly five hours, demonstrating exceptional stamina and clutch serving. The world No. 56 won consistent 81% of first serve points and fired 24 aces to just 3 double faults, crucial in navigating four tiebreaks. His 27-28 season record suggests vulnerability at tour level, though his five-set experience could prove valuable if Tsitsipas' concentration wavers.
Their only previous meeting saw Tsitsipas prevail 6-4, 7-6 on the clay courts of Lyon in 2022, though Altmaier's improved hard-court game makes historical comparisons less relevant. The key will be whether Tsitsipas can maintain the intensity he showed after dropping the first set to Muller. Altmaier's physical fatigue from his epic opener should favor the Greek if he establishes early dominance, but any mental lapses could invite the German back into contention. This is a good chance for the Greek to check in to third round of Grand Slams for the first time this year - quite a shocking stat for the former one of constant contenders of majors.
Paul vs. Borges - American spotlight
14th seed Tommy Paul seeks to build on his dominant 6-3, 6-3, 6-1 destruction of Elmer Moller when facing Portugal's Nuno Borges. The American's scored 27 winners to just 11 unforced errors which represented his cleanest performance since reaching the Rome semifinals. Paul's 27-12 season record includes consistent deep runs without breakthrough moments, making this home Grand Slam crucial for validating his top-15 status. The draw left Paul as the only American contender in top half with all the other top guns being placed in bottom half and playing on the other day, so he will face the spotlight on his performance.
Borges survived a stern test from Brandon Holt 6-4, 3-6, 6-7(3), 6-3, 6-3, showcasing the fighting spirit that carried him to the Bastad title earlier this summer. The Portuguese's ability to reset after dropping the third-set tiebreak demonstrated improved mental resilience. His heavy topspin forehand and defensive skills create lengthy baseline exchanges that test opponents' patience.
Paul's aggressive court positioning and superior flat power should dictate play patterns, particularly on the faster Flushing Meadows surface. The American's recent ankle injury appears fully healed based on his movement against Moller, crucial for handling Borges' grinding style. Their only previous meeting saw Paul prevail 6-3, 6-4 on the hard courts of Delray Beach, and similar scoreline seems likely with the home crowd energy propelling the American forward.
Khachanov vs. Majchrzak - Momentum states clash
Ninth seed Karen Khachanov faces Poland's Kamil Majchrzak having navigated a tricky opener against Nishesh Basavareddy 6-3, 6-7(3), 6-3, 6-2. The Russian's 24 aces compensated for occasional lapses in concentration, ultimately wearing down his younger opponent with superior weight of shot. Khachanov's 31-22 season record reflects solid consistency with some great results in recent months - the quarterfinal of Wimbledon and run into final in Toronto.
Majchrzak earned his second-round spot by defeating Cristian Garin 6-7(3), 6-4, 6-4, 6-2, displaying the general solidity that helped him to restore his career on the level of top 100 back again. The Pole came back from getting cleared from doping case ban, rebuilding his ranking on Challenger Tour level last year and making some success on the main tour level in 2025 as well. He replicated the career's best major run into round of 16 (from US Open 2019) at Wimbledon, getting stopped exactly by Khachanov. The Pole's recent form also looks fine, including the recent another Challenger Tour title in homesoil event in Grodzisk Mazowiecki title.
The matchup favors Khachanov's superior firepower and Grand Slam experience, particularly in extended rallies where his backhand becomes a significant weapon. Majchrzak must avoid getting pulled into lengthy baseline exchanges where Khachanov's physicality dominates and somehow try to overcome the discrepancy of serving fatality between both. Expect Khachanov to repeat the easy victory from Wimbledon, however surprisingly their stats radar from ATP Tour main draw matches look quite simillar, with a few percent of Khachanov's advantage here and there.
