Two major mysteries on the opening day of the US Open: Will Djokovic avoid an upset in his debut? Which of the four Chinese female players can advance successfully?

Having competed in the US Open for so many years, Djokovic’s appearance on the first day of the tournament has never caused such anxiety; many fear he might be knocked out in the opening round.

Since his Wimbledon semifinal exit, Djokovic has been on a break. Initially, the public thought the Serbian star was resting to better prepare for upcoming major tournaments. However, after seeing him publicly share affectionate moments with his wife Jelena at a vacation spot and joyfully playing with his children, everyone realized Djokovic was prioritizing being a model husband and a good father, temporarily putting tennis aside.

Arriving at the US Open with zero warm-up, it was expected that he could get some preparation through mixed doubles. Unexpectedly, Djokovic and Danilović’s performance was disappointing, and they were eliminated early.

Therefore, before the draw was announced, everyone hoped fate would grant Djokovic a favorable draw to help him continue pursuing his 25th Grand Slam title at the US Open, allowing all to witness this shining moment. At 38 years old, many believed this might be his last chance to achieve this goal. If he leaves empty-handed this year, expecting the 39-year-old Serbian star to perform better next year seems overly optimistic.

Unfortunately, those prayers were not answered; in the first round, he faces 19-year-old American prodigy Learner, instantly raising tension.

Although Learner’s fame and ranking are far below Djokovic’s, this young player’s performance this year has been impressive. He caused an upset by defeating Medvedev in the Australian Open second round and beat top players like Zverev in Acapulco and twice defeated the big-serving Opelka, showcasing his strength and earning widespread praise.

Nowadays, Djokovic’s game no longer inspires the same confidence as during his peak. Facing Learner in the first round of the US Open—known for quick footwork, accurate anticipation, mental steadiness, clutch play, and a signature backhand down-the-line attack—raises real concern whether Djokovic will fall victim to the old saying “youth overpowers experience.”

Another worry for Djokovic is that Learner, as a home player, will enjoy strong crowd support. If the audience cheers overwhelmingly for Learner, boosting his confidence against the 38-year-old Djokovic, the Serbian star’s challenge to pass the opening round will become increasingly difficult.

Of course, Djokovic’s supporters argue that while you might doubt his ability to win the US Open title, there is no reason to question his capacity to get past the first round. Everyone knows Learner is tough to beat, and Djokovic himself is surely aware, so he will have a strategic plan to avoid an early upset and prevent Learner from skyrocketing to fame overnight at his expense.

According to current public opinion, the highly anticipated match between Djokovic and Learner has become the most watched duel on the US Open’s opening day. Everyone wants to see if experience will outsmart youth or if the new generation will make a loud statement by defeating the veteran.

Djokovic’s debut is unsettling upon reflection, and the fate of China’s four female players competing on the opening day also causes great concern.

Zhang Shuai faces Bencic; Wang Yafan meets Navarro; Wang Xiyu challenges Ostapenko; and Zhu Lin competes against Potapova. The first-round opponents for the four Chinese players are all formidable, leading many to anxiously wonder whether China’s tennis contingent will secure a winning start at the US Open’s opening day. If luck favors them, which player will seize this opportunity?

Among the four, Zhang Shuai is arguably the most reliable, having advanced from qualifying without dropping a set, showing strong resilience and form. However, considering she will have played three consecutive matches by then, facing a well-rested, younger, and capable Bencic significantly lowers Zhang’s chances.

Wang Xiyu is also not favored to complete this difficult task, mainly due to her inconsistency and unpredictability. Ostapenko, though known for her volatile play, is generally more stable than Wang Xiyu.

After careful analysis and discussion among fans and netizens, the consensus is that the most likely candidates to bring China’s tennis team a winning start on the US Open’s opening day are Wang Yafan and Zhu Lin, or possibly both delivering good news with victories.

Although Wang Yafan has just returned from injury, her recent performances indicate she remains within the top 100 in terms of ability.

Navarro’s ranking is higher than Wang Yafan’s, but considering this wealthy American’s recent average form and instability, if Wang plays steadily with her much-praised resilience, she could cause a major upset and take Navarro’s seeded position.

Zhu Lin is favored because she has regained her previous top 100 level and believes that “as long as I’m on the court, I believe I can win.” Against Potapova, who is also inconsistent, Zhu certainly has a chance to triumph.

Djokovic and China’s four female players will all compete on the US Open’s opening day. Whether the Serbian star can avoid an upset and whether one or two of the Chinese players will advance successfully will confirm many predictions, fully igniting the enthusiasm of fans and netizens who have already set their clocks and eagerly await the action!(Source: Tennis Home, Author: Moonlight River’s Starry Sky)