Top stars face familiar challenges at the US Open

The clock at Grandstand showed 23:47 when Alexander Zverev hit his final forehand, ending a match that lasted 4 hours and 56 minutes against Lorenzo Sonego. The German collapsed to the court, exhausted but with bright eyes. He had just experienced one of the longest matches of his career, and he had less than 48 hours to recover before stepping into the second round against Quentin Halys, an opponent who had made him sweat in both previous encounters.

The second round of this year's US Open is witnessing many fateful matchups. Coco Gauff, the 2026 champion, will face Paula Badosa, who has beaten her 5 times in 8 meetings. Felix Auger-Aliassime, the third seed, will face Karen Khachanov, who has defeated him 2 times in 4. These names are not unfamiliar, but each meeting brings new stories.

Women's key match: Badosa - Gauff

Paula Badosa enters Arthur Ashe Stadium with new confidence. The Spaniard was once world number 2, but injuries have dropped her to 87th. She missed last year's US Open and this year's Roland Garros. However, a straight-sets win over Daria Kasatkina in the first round shows her body is ready. "I feel healthy again," Badosa said.

Gauff, who just reached the Wimbledon semifinals for the first time thanks to an improved serve and consistency, knows this is her biggest test of the tournament. The head-to-head record does not favor her: Badosa has won 5 of 8, including the last two. But that is the past. Gauff has improved tremendously, and she has home-court advantage with the support of New York fans.

Tactical analysis: Badosa is a smart player with a sharp one-handed backhand and great court reading. She often exploits opponents' weaknesses with drop shots and pace changes. In previous meetings, Badosa pulled Gauff to the net and then passed her with precise passing shots. To win, Gauff needs to maintain high concentration, serve well, and control points from the baseline. She also needs to avoid long rallies where Badosa can show consistency.

Men's key match: Zverev - Halys

Zverev is having the best season of his career, winning his first Grand Slam at Roland Garros and reaching the Wimbledon final. However, the long match against Sonego shows he still has areas to improve. "I think I missed a few more backhands than usual... it was a tough battle and I think it was a match I needed," Zverev said. He knows he cannot play like that against Halys.

Quentin Halys, the Frenchman, is having the best form of his career, reaching the second round of the US Open for the first time. He has a powerful serve and an aggressive playing style. In their two previous meetings, Zverev won both but they were very tight. With not fully recovered stamina, Zverev will struggle if Halys drags him into long rallies. He needs to finish points quickly, using his experience and movement.

Auger-Aliassime - Khachanov: Battle of powerful shots

Felix Auger-Aliassime had a less-than-ideal start, needing nearly three and a half hours to get past Rinky Hijikata. He admitted the match was very tense and made him think a lot. The 26-year-old has reached the quarterfinals at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, showing consistency. But Karen Khachanov is a different challenge.

Khachanov, a former US Open semifinalist, has won 2 of 4 meetings against Auger-Aliassime. He just had an easy first-round win and is very confident. With powerful groundstrokes and a good serve, Khachanov can put great pressure on his opponent. Auger-Aliassime needs to use his agility and good defense to neutralize the opponent's power. This match promises to be very exciting.

Contrarian view

Many think Gauff will lose because of her poor head-to-head record, but there is an important factor: Badosa may not be fully recovered physically. She has had many injuries and has only played a few matches since returning. Gauff, with her youth and tremendous improvement, can take advantage of this. Similarly, despite being tired, Zverev's experience in high-level matches is invaluable. Halys may lack experience in big matches, which could cause him to make mistakes.

Conclusion

The US Open second round will be a test of character for the title contenders. Gauff, Zverev, and Auger-Aliassime all have their own challenges, but if they overcome them, they will gain great confidence. Conversely, Badosa, Halys, and Khachanov all have chances to cause upsets. Tennis is a sport of moments, and this second round promises to bring many emotions.

Beyond the three key matches, the second round also features other notable matchups. Naomi Osaka, the 13th seed, will face Katerina Siniakova. Osaka has won the US Open twice and is always a treat for New York fans. Taylor Fritz, the 9th seed, will face Mattia Bellucci. Fritz is in good form and hopes to go deep in his home tournament.

In the women's draw, Elena Rybakina, the 2nd seed, will face Jessica Bouzas Maneiro. Rybakina is one of the strongest players with a powerful serve. Meanwhile, Alexandra Eala, the 17th seed, will face Oleksandra Oliynykova. Eala is one of the most promising young talents in tennis.

These matches promise to bring drama and surprises. With fierce competition, no one can be sure of the outcome. The important thing is that players need to maintain their spirit and fitness to overcome challenges.

In Grand Slams, fitness management is vital. Players must play many consecutive matches, and long matches can affect recovery. Zverev played nearly 5 hours, and he only has 48 hours to recover. This requires proper nutrition, massage, and rest. Professional players usually have their own support teams to ensure optimal condition.

Similarly, Auger-Aliassime also played 4 sets and nearly 3.5 hours. Khachanov has an advantage by winning quickly in the first round. The difference in playing time can affect the result. This is a factor that experts often analyze.

Psychology also plays an important role. Gauff, despite losing to Badosa many times, has matured a lot. She has won the US Open, so she knows how to handle pressure. Badosa, on the other hand, may feel pressure facing a champion on home soil. Similarly, Halys, in his first second-round appearance, may lack confidence against a top player like Zverev. Khachanov has more experience, but Auger-Aliassime is in good form.

Looking at recent form, Gauff has an impressive streak on hard courts. She has won 15 of her last 18 matches, including a title in Washington and reaching the Wimbledon semifinals. In contrast, Badosa has only played 5 matches since returning, winning 3. This shows Gauff has an advantage in match play and consistency.

Zverev, with his Roland Garros title and Wimbledon final, is having his best season. He has won 20 of his last 24 matches. Halys, despite good form, has never faced top players in the later rounds of a Grand Slam. Lack of experience could be his weakness.

Auger-Aliassime and Khachanov are comparable in form. Both have reached Grand Slam quarterfinals recently. However, Khachanov has a fitness advantage with his quick first-round win. Auger-Aliassime needs to improve his ability to convert chances if he wants to win.

In 8 meetings between Badosa and Gauff, 5 were on hard courts, and Badosa won 3 of them. However, their most recent meeting was in Madrid on clay, where Badosa won 2-1. This shows Badosa can play well on different surfaces. Gauff, with her aggressive play and good serve, can make a difference on the fast courts of Flushing Meadows.

Zverev and Halys have met twice, both at ATP 250 events on hard courts. Zverev won both, but both went to 3 sets. This shows Halys always gives Zverev trouble. With poor fitness, Zverev may have to work even harder.

Khachanov and Auger-Aliassime have met 4 times, with Khachanov winning 2. One of those was at the US Open in 2026, where Khachanov won in 4 sets. This shows Khachanov knows how to play at this tournament. Auger-Aliassime needs a smart tactic to counter him.

The serve is the most important weapon in modern tennis. Gauff has significantly improved her serve, earning many free points. Badosa, although not having a powerful serve, is very accurate and varied. Zverev has one of the best serves on tour, with great speed and spin. Halys also has a powerful serve, but sometimes lacks consistency. Khachanov has a strong serve, but Auger-Aliassime has good return skills.

In tight matches, crucial serves can decide the outcome. Players need to stay composed to execute precise serves in key moments.

The US Open 2026 second round is not just about simple matches, but battles of will, fitness, and tactics. The top seeds will face opponents who know them well, those who have made them regret. But it is also an opportunity for them to show their progress. Gauff, Zverev, and Auger-Aliassime are all at their peak, and they need to overcome these challenges to go further.

Regardless of the results, fans will witness high-level performances. Tennis always brings surprises, and this second round will be no exception. Let's wait for historic moments on Arthur Ashe and other courts.