Winston-Salem: The Final Hardcourt Frontier Before US Open Begins
by Geoffrey Ejiga | by Geoffrey Ejiga
Heated Round of 64 Clashes
The tournament kicks off with some immediate fireworks in the Round of 64, setting a high bar for the week's competition. One of the most anticipated matchups will see Austria's Sebastian Ofner take on the Czech Republic's Vit Kopriva. This will be a clash of styles, with Ofner's powerful groundstrokes meeting Kopriva's gritty defense.
The match should live up to its billing, but you can see what our SportyTrader experts think in the Sebastian Ofner vs Vit Kopriva prediction. Beyond that, other early encounters, like the Botic van de Zandschulp vs Adam Walton game, should deliver intense moments.
Sunday will be packed with seven games in total and then five more RO64 matches on Monday.
Tsitsipas Leads the Charge
The biggest name in the mix is Stefanos Tsitsipas. He's the top seed, which is a bit of a surprise since his season has been a bit of a struggle. He's slipped in the rankings, and his record this year is not what you would expect from a player of his caliber. He has one trophy to his name in 2025 and a shaky record, which makes this tournament a big deal for him. Winston-Salem is the perfect place for him to find his rhythm and get back to his winning ways before the US Open.
He's got some serious competition, though. Last year's champion, Lorenzo Sonego, is back to defend his title. The Italian has been up and down since his win here, so he will be eager to find that form again. Other top players to watch out for include Tallon Griekspoor and Luciano Darderi, both of whom have won tournaments this year and are hungry for more glory.
Homegrown Talents Seeking Glory
The local crowd will have plenty of players to cheer for. Sebastian Korda is making his return to the court after being out since the French Open. He will be looking to get some match time in before his home grand slam. Another American, Marcos Giron, is also in the draw after getting a wild card. He's a fan favorite, and everyone will be rooting for him to make a deep run.
The tournament is also a melting pot of other interesting players. There's Hamad Medjedovic, a young player who has shown some serious potential. He faces Arthur Rinerknech as the favorite.
Then you have seasoned veterans like Roberto Bautista Agut, who is back in Winston-Salem for the first time since he won the title a few years ago. With all these different styles and stories, this week promises some exciting tennis.
The qualifying rounds has already shown how tough this field is. With each passing day, the stakes will get higher. A good run here can change a player's entire outlook heading into the US Open. This is the final stop on the road to Flushing Meadows, and it is going to be a fun ride.
