2026 US Open Men’s Singles Roundtable Predictions: Champions, Dark Horses and Early Exits

2026 US Open Men's Singles Roundtable Predictions: Champion, Dark Horses, and Early Exits

Ahead of the 2026 US Open, five Last Word on Tennis writers – Ilemona Onekutu, Shane Black, Amanda Bergman, Zain Mustafa, and Coby Spratte – shared their predictions. The champion is expected to be Arthur Fils (FRA), the youngest French Masters 1000 champion ever. His strong serve and athleticism make him a force to be reckoned with, even though he is 10-0 in deciding sets this year and 8-0 against Americans.

Alexander Zverev (GER) is considered a heavy favorite, as he is healthy and injury-free. His Grand Slam success adds to his credibility, and with the pressure off, Zverev is likely to perform well in New York.

Ben Shelton (USA) is seen as a dark horse, having performed well at hard-court Grand Slams since his career began. He has already won the title in Montreal, and his strong performance there suggests he could bring that level of play to the US Open as well.

Outside the Top 8 seeds, Hubert Hurkacz (POL) is predicted to advance the furthest. His missile serve and experience in reaching the second week of majors make him a dangerous opponent for anyone seeded ahead of him. If he can find his rhythm early, a quarterfinal is a realistic goal for him.

Ben Shelton from the USA is also considered a dark horse, with the potential to claim his first career Grand Slam title. His strong serve and explosive athleticism, combined with a favorable draw, could help him beat the top players in the tournament, including Novak Djokovic.