Order restored? Only four seeds fall as US Open men’s draw finds stability

The opening round of the 2025 US Open has offered a strikingly different narrative from the turmoil that has defined men’s Grand Slam tennis earlier this year. Only four seeded players, Daniil Medvedev, Ugo Humbert, Alex Michelsen, and Tallon Griekspoor, fell on Day 1, a modest number when compared to the mass upheavals witnessed at the Australian Open (eight seeds), the French Open (nine), and Wimbledon (13).

For fans and analysts alike, this early equilibrium suggests that the men’s draw may finally be stabilising, at least for the moment. Medvedev’s defeat was the most high-profile casualty. The former world number 1 and 2021 US Open champion has endured a turbulent season, with three consecutive first-round exits at Grand Slams and public meltdowns that have drawn widespread scrutiny.

His 6-3, 7-5, 6-7(5), 0-6, 6-4 loss to France’s Benjamin Bonzi, coupled with visible frustration at umpire decisions, stressed both his volatility and the razor-thin margins separating success from failure at the elite level.

Yet beyond these few upsets, the men’s draw largely adhered to form. Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Andrey Rublev, and Alexander Zverev all advanced with relative ease, demonstrating the enduring dominance of the sport’s upper echelon.

Ugo Humbert, seeded 22nd, was eliminated by Adam Walton in a four-set thriller on Court 10, 6-4, 7-6 (4), 5-7, 1-6. The Australian produced a resilient and tactically astute performance, recovering from losing the third set to deny Humbert a place in the second round. Walton, who has been building confidence on the tour, now faces Coleman Wong, a player he previously defeated 7-6 (6), 4-6, 6-4 in Miami earlier this year. This matchup presents a promising opportunity for Walton to continue his momentum and make a statement on the Grand Slam stage, while Humbert’s early exit opens the draw for other seeds in this section to consolidate their positions.

Tallon Griekspoor, seeded 29th, was eliminated by Adrian Mannarino in three sets, 7-5, 6-4, 6-4. Mannarino’s consistent shot-making and tactical awareness proved decisive against the Dutchman, who struggled to break through on key points. Mannarino now faces Jordan Thompson in the second round, setting up a French versus Australian clash that promises to test both players’ composure and court craft. With Griekspoor out, this section of the draw opens up, offering both Mannarino and Thompson a realistic path to a deeper run.

Lastly, Alex Michelsen, seeded 28th, was eliminated by Francisco Comesana in four sets, 1-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4. Comesana, the Argentine rising star, showcased resilience and tactical awareness, recovering after Michelsen got a breadstick in the first set to close out the match. Michelsen’s early exit opens up the draw for Cameron Norrie, who will face Comesana in the second round. This matchup provides Norrie with a test against a player brimming with confidence, while also presenting Comesana the opportunity to continue his unexpected run in a section that initially appeared stacked with seeds.

Despite Michelsen's exit, American men fared reasonably well overall in Round 1, going 11-12 (compared with 8-9 last season). Those advancing to Round 2 include Taylor Fritz (4), Ben Shelton (6), Tommy Paul (14), Frances Tiafoe (17), Brandon Nakashima (30), as well as Marcos Giron, Eliot Spizzirri, Zachary Svajda, Michael Brooksby, Maxime Boyer, and Martin Damm Jr. This depth highlights the strength and consistency of the U.S. contingent heading into the second round, offering plenty of potential for exciting homegrown storylines as the tournament unfolds.

As the dust settles on the first round, the 2025 US Open men’s draw presents a rare blend of stability and opportunity. Ultimately, the opening day’s balance of order and opportunity sets the tone for a tournament that could see the expected stars rise to the occasion while new faces announce themselves on the grand stage. With Round 2 approaching, the draw is poised for high-stakes clashes, showing both the weight of expectation and the promise of upset shaping what promises to be a gripping fortnight in New York.