Laver Cup Day 1 Session 1 Predictions Including Casper Ruud vs Reilly Opelka

The 2025 Laver Cup kicks off on Friday with two singles clashes scheduled for the opening day session. First up, Team Europe’s Casper Ruud faces Team World’s Reilly Opelka, followed by Jakub Mensik of Europe taking on America’s Alex Michelsen.

As per tradition on Day 1, each encounter is worth one point. While the format continues to draw debate, matches are played best-of-three, with a deciding 10-point tiebreak instead of a full third set if needed. But who will secure a point for their team?

Laver Cup Day 1 Session 1 Predictions

Match 1 – Singles

Casper Ruud vs Reilly Opelka

Head-to-Head: Ruud 4–0 Opelka

Casper Ruud has become a Laver Cup mainstay, with this year marking his fifth consecutive appearance. He opens the event against the towering Reilly Opelka, who joined Team World as an injury replacement for Ben Shelton.

This is a classic server vs. baseliner matchup. Any rally stretching beyond four shots is likely to favor Ruud, but the indoor hard court setting makes things tricky. Opelka can settle into a serving rhythm that takes the racket out of any opponent’s hands.

Even so, if Ruud sticks to his fundamentals and avoids lapses on serve, his superior shot quality and consistent pressure should be enough to secure Team Europe their first points of the 2025 Laver Cup.

Prediction: Ruud in 2

Match 2 – Singles

Jakub Mensik vs Alex Michelsen

Head-to-Head: First Meeting

It’s a first-time meeting between these two Next Gen talents, as Jakub Mensik faces Alex Michelsen in the second singles of Day 1, a matchup that could be one of the closest of the day.

Mensik will look to lean on his elite serve and steady backhand to dictate play. Michelsen, meanwhile, may lack a singular weapon of that caliber, but his unpredictability and competitive spirit can turn any match into a battle.

The American, also an injury replacement, has a genuine chance here. Mensik hasn’t shown much growth since his Miami triumph, while Michelsen’s energy could trouble him. Still, Mensik’s ability to earn free points on serve and expose Michelsen’s movement should give him the edge in a match that could go the distance.

Prediction: Mensik in 3