US Open: Gauff and Zverev face stern tests against familiar foes
Core answer: Tại US Open 2026, Coco Gauff và Alexander Zverev phải đối mặt với những đối thủ từng gây khó dễ: Paula Badosa (thắng 5/8 lần đối đầu) và Quentin Halys (2 lần đều thua sát nút). Liệu họ có vượt qua? Key facts: - Badosa đã thắng Gauff 5 trong 8 lần gặp, gồm 2 trận gần nhất. - Zverev vừa trải qua trận đấu gần 5 giờ với Sonego ở vòng 1. - Halys lần đầu vào vòng 2 US Open, từng gây khó khăn cho Zverev. - Auger-Aliassime thắng Hijikata sau 3,5 giờ, giờ gặp Khachanov (thắng 2/4 lần). Source: Reuters, September 2, 2026 | Cross-checked: VuaBong.vn Related Q&A: - Hỏi: Badosa có thể gây bất ngờ trước Gauff? Đáp: Có, vì cô đã thắng 5/8 lần đối đầu và đang hồi phục hoàn toàn. - Hỏi: Zverev có đủ thể lực sau trận đấu dài? Đáp: Anh thừa nhận cần trận đấu đó, nhưng Halys là đối thủ khó chịu. - Hỏi: Khachanov có cơ hội thắng Auger-Aliassime? Đáp: Có, vì anh đã thắng 2/4 lần gặp và đang có phong độ tốt.
While the entire commentary room is focusing on promising young players, I hear a very faint echo from head-to-head history: those "familiar faces" are the biggest threat. The second round of this year's US Open is no place for top seeds to relax. Coco Gauff, Alexander Zverev, and Felix Auger-Aliassime all face opponents who have troubled them in the past, and none of them are easy.
The US Open is the final Grand Slam of the year, where players must give their all. With top players like Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz already deep in the draw, other seeds must prove their mettle. Gauff, Zverev, and Auger-Aliassime all have big ambitions, but they know the road to the title is never paved with roses. Familiar opponents are always the toughest tests.
Top Women's Match: Paula Badosa vs Coco Gauff
The centerpiece of the women's draw is the clash between Paula Badosa and Coco Gauff. Badosa, a former world No. 2, has won 5 of 8 meetings with Gauff, including the last two. This raises a big question: can Gauff, the 2026 champion, overcome the "curse" named Badosa? Despite Badosa's current ranking of 87 due to persistent injuries, she missed last year's US Open and this year's Roland Garros, but her first-round form (beating Daria Kasatkina) shows her body is fully recovered. Gauff, with her improved serve and consistency that helped her reach the Wimbledon semifinals, will need to do better to avoid an upset.
Looking at Badosa's game, she has a very strong two-handed backhand and often puts pressure on Gauff's forehand. In previous meetings, Badosa would drag Gauff into long rallies, testing the American's patience. Gauff needs to stay focused and use her speed to neutralize her opponent's deep shots.
Top Men's Match: Alexander Zverev vs Quentin Halys
In the men's draw, Alexander Zverev is having the best season of his career, winning Roland Garros and reaching the Wimbledon final. However, his nearly five-hour battle against Lorenzo Sonego in the first round showed he still has weaknesses. Zverev admitted: "I think I missed a few more backhands than I usually do... It was a match I needed." Now he faces Quentin Halys, a Frenchman who has tested him in both previous meetings, though Zverev won each time. Halys reaches the US Open second round for the first time, and with growing confidence, he could spring a surprise if Zverev hasn't fully recovered.
Halys possesses a powerful serve and an attacking baseline game. He has pushed Zverev to the limit, notably at Roland Garros last year when he led two sets to love before losing in five. This time, with confidence from his first-round win, Halys won't shy away from exchanging blows with the German. Zverev must improve his serving and avoid unforced errors if he doesn't want an early exit.
Auger-Aliassime up against tricky Khachanov
Felix Auger-Aliassime, world No. 4, had a shaky start, struggling past Rinky Hijikata in nearly three and a half hours. He admitted: "He made me think a lot. The match got quite tense." Now he faces Karen Khachanov, a former US Open semifinalist who has beaten him 2 of 4 times. Khachanov comes off a dominant first-round victory and has every reason to dream of an upset.
Khachanov is a powerful player with heavy groundstrokes from the baseline. He defeated Auger-Aliassime at the Tokyo Olympics in 2026, and the confidence from those previous meetings will be a huge advantage. Auger-Aliassime needs to stay calm and use his agile movement to counter his opponent's power.
Other notable matches
Beyond these three, Thursday's schedule features several other intriguing clashes. Naomi Osaka, the 13th seed, faces Katerina Siniakova. Taylor Fritz, the 9th seed, meets Mattia Bellucci. Gael Monfils takes on Learner Tien, while Elena Rybakina, the 2nd seed, plays Jessica Bouzas Maneiro. These matches promise plenty of drama and surprises.
The Contrarian View: Don't rush to trust rankings
Many will look at the rankings and underestimate Badosa or Halys. But I've watched tennis long enough to know that players who have faced each other multiple times often have a psychological edge. Badosa knows how to exploit Gauff's weaknesses; Halys has pushed Zverev to the brink. These are not "easy" opponents. If Gauff and Zverev aren't focused from the start, they could pay the price.
My Predictions
I could be wrong, but hear me out: Badosa will shock Gauff in three sets. Halys will win the first set, but Zverev will come back thanks to experience. Khachanov will beat Auger-Aliassime in four sets. This US Open promises many surprises, and the "familiar faces" are the ones who will create them.