Alexander Zverev, the No. 3 seed, faces British wildcard Jacob Fearnley in a highly anticipated second-round match at the 2025 US Open. Zverev, still seeking his first Grand Slam title, is heavily favored, but Fearnley's upset victory in the first round has everyone wondering if another surprise is in store.
Zverev's Quest for Grand Slam Glory
Zverev's season has been marked by consistency, including a runner-up finish at the Australian Open and strong performances in other major tournaments. However, questions remain about his ability to maintain his peak performance throughout a grueling Grand Slam. His opening-round win against Alejandro Tabilo showcased his hard-court prowess, but can he maintain that level against a determined Fearnley?
Fearnley: The Rising Star
Jacob Fearnley, making his US Open main-draw debut, has already made a splash by defeating veteran Roberto Bautista Agut. His shot-making and composure under pressure have impressed many. While his recent form has been somewhat inconsistent, he has shown flashes of brilliance that could trouble Zverev.
Head-to-Head History
Zverev holds a 2-0 head-to-head advantage over Fearnley, with both victories coming on hard courts earlier this year. He won both matches in straight sets, demonstrating his dominance. However, Fearnley will be looking to learn from those defeats and put up a stronger fight this time around.
Expert Predictions
While Fearnley possesses the talent to make the match competitive, Zverev's experience, serve, and baseline consistency are expected to be the deciding factors. Most analysts predict a Zverev victory in straight sets. However, the unpredictable nature of tennis means that an upset is always a possibility. Shintaro Mochizuki +9.5 games handicap @1.73 @bet365 and Bublik covering the games handicap are also value bets.
How to Watch
The match is scheduled to begin just after 7:00 PM Eastern at Louis Armstrong Stadium. Some of the match will air live on ESPN2 as part of its whip-around coverage. You can also watch a live stream of ESPN2 coverage on the ESPN app.