In 2021, fans watched Emma Raducanu come out of nowhere to claim the US Open title on an incredible 10-match win streak. The unseeded British teenager proved that tennis majors can deliver the most shocking results when you least expect them.
Fast-forward to today’s tournament, and while everyone’s talking about favorites such as Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, several unseeded players have serious potential to flip the script in their opening matches. These dangerous first-round opponents could turn the US Open upside down from day one.
Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard
Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard rolls into New York with real momentum building behind that thunderous serve. In Winston-Salem, the 22-year-old powered his way to the semifinals, dismantling Hamad Medjedovic in straight sets and proving once again how lethal his game becomes on hard courts.
The French server first announced himself back in May by claiming his maiden ATP title in Lyon as a wild card, saving a match point in the final against Tomás Martín Etcheverry. Last year at Wimbledon, entering as a lucky loser, Mpetshi Perricard’s run to the second round included a jaw-dropping 51 aces in his first-round upset of Sebastian Korda.
Now he faces his toughest test yet against Lorenzo Musetti, the No. 10 seed, in what promises to be a fascinating style clash between power and finesse.
Learner Tien
Learner Tien represents one of the most exciting young talents on tour right now, but the draw gods weren’t kind to the rising American. His first-round opponent? Novak Djokovic, who’s hunting that historic 25th Grand Slam title.
Novak Djokovic will first face Learner Tien in his pursuit for major title No. 25 🤺 🏆 #usopen pic.twitter.com/7Es5hkR72J
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) August 21, 2025
But don’t count out Tien based on that daunting matchup. The young American has already proven he belongs at this level with a breakout campaign. He fought through Australian Open qualifying before pulling off a stunning five-set victory over No. 5 Daniil Medvedev, becoming the youngest American man to reach Melbourne’s Round of 16 since 2005.
That wasn’t a fluke either. Tien backed up his Grand Slam heroics with another massive scalp in Acapulco, where he took down World No. 2 Alexander Zverev to reach his first ATP 500 quarterfinal. Against Djokovic, he’ll need every bit of that fearless approach.
Botic van de Zandschulp
Botic van de Zandschulp has made the US Open his personal hunting ground for upsets. Just last year, he stunned Carlos Alcaraz in straight sets, a result that breathed new life into his career after he’d seriously considered retirement. The Dutchman thrives under the bright lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium, where pressure seems to bring out his best tennis.
Earlier this season, van de Zandschulp reminded everyone why he’s so dangerous by shocking Novak Djokovic at Indian Wells as a lucky loser. Those kinds of statement wins don’t happen by accident. Now he draws Holger Rune in the opening round, creating another brutal matchup on paper that plays right into his hands as the ultimate spoiler.
Benjamin Bonzi
Benjamin Bonzi has quietly been building a reputation as a giant-killer. His breakthrough came at Wimbledon when he shocked Daniil Medvedev in the first round for his first Grand Slam match win against a top-10-ranked opponent, then immediately backed it up in Cincinnati by upsetting Lorenzo Musetti. Add in his maiden ATP title in Metz last year, and you’ve got a player who’s proven he can sting the biggest names when they least expect it.
His opening match against Daniil Medvedev looks highly winnable, setting up a potential path deeper into the draw. Expect a tight, baseline-heavy battle between the two.
Reilly Opelka
Reilly Opelka has roared back into relevance with that devastating serve, leading the charge. The 27-year-old American made the tennis world take notice earlier this year by knocking out Novak Djokovic in Brisbane, powering his way all the way to the final before a back injury forced him to retire.
Reilly Opelka’s serve was so strong, he needed a new racket 😅
Now that’s a @StellaArtois Perfect Serve! pic.twitter.com/VzIf18FCre
— National Bank Open (@NBOtoronto) July 28, 2025
Since that breakthrough moment, Opelka has continued collecting impressive scalps. He impressed in the Delray Open with a statement win over Christopher Eubanks, then pulled off another shocker by upsetting Daniil Medvedev as a lucky loser in ‘s-Hertogenbosch.
MORE: 5 Americans Who Could Win Maiden Grand Slam at US Open 2025 ft. Taylor Fritz
Now he opens against Carlos Alcaraz in what represents the ultimate high-risk, high-reward scenario. It’s exactly the kind of massive stage where Opelka’s serve-and-volley assault can catch even the best players off guard.
Marin Čilić
Marin Cilic has methodically worked his way back from knee surgery, using the Challenger circuit as his launching pad. The former US Open champion captured titles in Girona and Nottingham to prove his competitive fire still burns bright, then translated that form to the main tour with notable victories.
Those wins included a quality upset of Alex de Minaur in Dubai and a statement victory over Jack Draper at Wimbledon, showing that Cilic’s experience and big-match composure remain intact.
His US Open opener against Alexander Bublik is expected to be an intriguing clash of styles, with the Kazakh’s unpredictable shot-making meeting Cilic’s steady power and veteran savvy.
