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Ben Shelton and a possible goodbye highlight U.S. Open Day 2 men's matches
Ben Shelton. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Ben Shelton and a possible goodbye highlight U.S. Open Day 2 men's matches

Ben Shelton making his 2026 U.S. Open debut and the possible last match at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center for 2016 Champion Stan Wawrinka highlight the men's matches on Day 2. 

Other players of note on Monday are American seeds Francis Tiafoe, Learner Tien and Brandon Nakashima.

Shelton is first on for the night session at Arthur Ashe Stadium against Tallon Griekspoor of the Netherlands. Shelton has 33 wins and 13 losses in 2026, but has had an inconsistent season. Four titles, including a second consecutive National Bank Open in Canada, have overshadowed puzzling losses.

Usually a big-match player, Shelton lost in the second round of the 2026 French Open and the first round at Wimbledon after a quarterfinal appearance in Australia. Griekspoor has 12 wins and 17 losses in 2026, with no victories and three defeats in Grand Slams. Monday is the first meeting between Griekspoor and Shelton.

Cincinnati Open Champion Arthur Fils will play two-time Grand Slam runner-up Stefanos Tsitsipas at 11 a.m. ET at Louis Armstrong Stadium. Fils, one of the fastest-rising players on the ATP Tour, has 32 wins and 10 losses in 2026. Tsitsipas has 25 wins and 19 losses in 2026, which has seen him perform below his past exploits. 

Arthur Fils has dominated Stefanos Tsitsipas

Fils has won all five previous matches against Tsitsipas. Monday is the first meeting between Fils and Tsitsipas at a Grand Slam. Fils defeated Tsitsipas 6-1, 6-0 in the second round at the Miami Open in March. Tsitsipas has won only one set against Fils.

Learner Tien faces off against Nuno Borges

Tien has one of the toughest first-round draws against Nuno Borges from Portugal. As the 14th seed, that is the highest Tien has been at a Grand Slam. Borges is ranked 42nd in the live ATP rankings. Tien has won both matches against Borges, including a win at the Australian Open in January.

Tien has won all five sets against Borges. Borges has 25 wins and 23 losses in 2026. In Grand Slams, Borges has five victories and three defeats and advanced to the third round at the Australian and French Opens. Tien has 26 wins and 15 losses in 2026, with seven victories and three defeats at Grand Slams. 

A possible farewell to Stan Wawrinka

Wawrinka hopes for a retro match against Matteo Berrettini in his last season. Wawrinka has seven wins and 15 losses in 2026 and two victories and three defeats in Grand Slams. Berrettini has 15 wins and 13 losses in 2026, with six wins and two losses in Grand Slams.

Berrettini beat Wawrinka in an epic five-set match in the first round of Wimbledon in June. All five sets in their match at Wimbledon went to tiebreakers. Berrettini is a former Wimbledon runner-up and U.S. Open semifinalist. Berrettini and Wawrinka are the third match scheduled for the Grandstand court.

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