Tennis Tips - US Open Day 2 Tips

More Aussies in action on Day 2 including Alexei Popyrin, who beat Novak Djokovic here in 2024 – but he appears to have his work cut out for him in the first round this time around.

Best Bet

Grigor Dimitrov -3.5

Game Handicap

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$1.90

Very friendly price for Grigor Dimitrov against Australian Alexei Popryin.

Popyrin had a breakout season in 2024, including beating Djokovic in the third-round of the US Open, but he’s struggled with form and injury this year, including retiring in his last match in Quebec due to a leg injury.

Although Dimitrov is at the back-end of his career at 35, the Bulgarian still made the Round of 16 at Wimbledon, and cruised through qualifying here.

As for Popyrin, he’s 6-13 on hard court this year, covering the game handicap in just 21.4% of matches.

Next Best

Frances Tiafoe -4.5

Game Handicap

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$1.90

Thrives at New York as a two-time US Open Semi Finalist, and I expect him to come out of the blocks hot.

Tiafoe is 16-3 on hard court when favourite in 2026, covering the game handicap in 72% of those matches.

He faces countryman Martin Damm, who gave him a scare in last year’s US Open, but will in the long run help Tiafoe for their second meeting. Damm is just 1-7 against top–50 opposition this year, covering the game handicap in just 38% of those matches.

Diane Parry

Match

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$1.80

Parry has been in great form since May where she won the challenger in Paris, with a 21-8 record.

The Frenchwoman made the Round of 16 at Roland Garros, played well at Cincinnati in the lead-up making the Round of 16, and then won Monterrey just last week.

Although winning the week directly before a major can be an issue, I think the momentum could work in Parry’s favour, who has covered the game handicap in 82% of her last 11 hard court matches.

Arthur Fils -5.5

Game Handicap

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$1.80

Injury has perhaps slowed down his progression after a big clay swing resulted in him missing the French Open, and then playing in Wimbledon underdone.

But Arthur Fils appears to be back to full fitness with a Quarter Final run in Canada and winning Cincinnati in the lead-up.

Fils is 22-7 on hard courts this year, and 19-2 when favourite – and as favourite he’s covered the game handicap in 75% of those matches including the last nine. He faces Stefanos Tsitsipas who won on the clay in Gstaad after Wimbledon, but hasn’t shown much on hard courts since – the Greek covering just once from his last seven hard court matches as underdog.

Tallon Griekspoor +5.5

Game Handicap

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$1.83

Ben Shelton should be too good on his home court, but this won’t be regulation against Griekspoor.

The Dutchman made the Round of 16 in Canada in the lead-up, and has played well against top-30 opposition on hard courts this year, with a 4-2 record, covering the game handicap in four of those six matches.

Shelton is 8-2 against players ranked 40+ on hard courts this year, but the coverage rate is poor at just 30%.

Value Bet

Elisabetta Cocciaretto

First Set Winner

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$2.37

Record on hard court this year has been incredible by the Italian going 17-8, and I think Cocciaretto is priced like this due to fitness.

The Italian retired from her last two matches in the lead-up – so winning in three could be an issue, but she can certainly strike early.

Siniakova has won just two of her last seven matches, so the Czech isn’t in great form. I think Cocciaretto can land the first punch, and then we’ll see if her body can hold up.

Multi

Fils (M) / Tiafoe (M) / Dimitrov (M) / Bejlek (W) / Townsend (W) / Noskova (W) = $5.26

Sports Journalist

Dale Crotty

Few know the NBA like Dale, who has spent years backing winners for punters across a number of publications and podcasts. He also specialises in tennis and AFL.