Novak Djokovic vs Zachary Svajda Prediction & Picks - ATP US Open

Prediction published on 8/27/25, 7:51 AM  by Tyler Doty in ATP US Open Picks

After more than six weeks without competition, Novak Djokovic made a rather unusual return to the courts. Although he defeated young American Learner Tien in three sets (6-1, 7-6, 6-2), the Serbian player suffered a slump in the second set as his body began to give way. Even the world number seven couldn't understand the reason for this setback, although the lack of official matches for several weeks could be the real reason. At 38, Novak Djokovic no longer has the legs of a 20-year-old, and in this first round, the Serbian saw that his body could let him down at any moment. However, let's not forget that the four-time US Open winner won this match in three sets and will remain the favorite in the second round against Zachary Svajda.

The 22-year-old American came through qualifying to earn his ticket to the US Open main draw, doing so in style as the world number 145 did not drop a single set. The Californian maintained the momentum he built in qualifying when he entered the tournament, easily defeating another qualifier, Hungary's Zsombor Piros. Zachary Svajda won 6-2, 6-4, 7-5 to reach the second round at Flushing Meadows for the second time in his career after 2021. A regular on the secondary circuit, Zachary Svajda will play the most important match of his young career in front of his home crowd against the Grand Slam record holder for a place in the third round.